Fact Check: "The U.S. national debt exceeds 31 trillion dollars."
What We Know
As of June 4, 2025, the total gross national debt of the United States is reported to be approximately $36.21 trillion, which is significantly higher than the $31 trillion mark mentioned in the claim (Joint Economic Committee). This figure represents a substantial increase from previous years, with a growth of $1.56 trillion compared to the previous year and $10.29 trillion compared to five years ago. The average daily increase in national debt over the past year has been about $4.27 billion (Joint Economic Committee).
The U.S. Treasury's "Debt to the Penny" dataset corroborates this information, showing that as of June 26, 2025, the total public debt outstanding was approximately $28.89 trillion, which includes both public and intragovernmental holdings (U.S. Treasury Fiscal Data). However, when considering the total gross national debt, which includes all forms of debt, the figure exceeds $36 trillion.
Analysis
The claim that the U.S. national debt exceeds $31 trillion is supported by multiple credible sources. The Joint Economic Committee's report indicates a total gross national debt of $36.21 trillion as of June 2025, which is a reliable and current source of information. This source is credible as it is a governmental body that regularly monitors and reports on economic data.
Additionally, the U.S. Treasury's "Debt to the Penny" dataset provides a detailed breakdown of the national debt, confirming the substantial figures reported by the Joint Economic Committee. The Treasury's data is updated daily and is considered a primary source for national debt statistics, further solidifying the accuracy of the claim (U.S. Treasury Fiscal Data).
The Wikipedia entry on the national debt also aligns with these figures, reporting the federal government debt as approximately $36.56 trillion as of March 2025 (Wikipedia). While Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, it often cites reliable sources and is generally considered a good starting point for information.
In summary, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the claim that the U.S. national debt exceeds $31 trillion, with multiple reputable sources confirming the current figures.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "The U.S. national debt exceeds 31 trillion dollars" is accurate. As of June 2025, the total gross national debt stands at approximately $36.21 trillion, well above the $31 trillion threshold. The information is corroborated by multiple credible sources, including government reports and datasets.
