{
  "id": 4647820,
  "title": "The US debt crisis just got uglier: Number to know",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/the-us-debt-crisis-just-got-uglier-number-to-know",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-31T13:25:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Finance",
    "slug": "yahoo-finance",
    "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/article/the-us-debt-crisis-just-got-uglier-number-to-know-132557041.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The U.S. debt crisis has taken a more serious turn, with interest payments on a staggering $40 trillion debt surging to a record high. According to new analysis, US annual interest expense now represents 18.5% of federal government revenue, surpassing the previous record of 18.4% set in 1991. This alarming statistic marks a more than fourfold increase in debt-related costs over the past four years, now totaling a record $1.25 trillion. With nearly one-fifth of government revenue dedicated to servicing debt, long-term fiscal stability is at risk, potentially crowding out essential programs like defense, infrastructure, and Social Security. Rising interest rates on 10-year and 30-year Treasurys further exacerbate the situation, though borrowing costs remain below the 7% threshold that would signal real debt-sustainability stress.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "U.S. debt interest payments hit record $1.25 trillion annually",
    "Debt costs now 18.5% of federal revenue, surpassing 1991 record",
    "Rising interest rates on Treasurys strain long-term fiscal stability"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}