Federal Debt to Hit Record Levels, Budget Office Warns

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Compared with CBO projections from January 2025, before Mr. Trump took office, the federal government is now expected to run a $23.1 trillion shortfall over the next nine years, rather than a $21.8 trillion one, a $1.4 trillion wider gap.

Posted by qcp at 10:19 AM | 21 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Heckuva job, Pedo

#1 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-02-11 12:07 PM | Reply

... the federal government is now expected to run a $23.1 trillion shortfall over the next nine years, rather than a $21.8 trillion one, a $1.4 trillion wider gap....

Is Pres Trump going to put his name on his deficit also?

The Trump Deficit®

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-02-11 12:07 PM | Reply

So where is all the money going? Trump was going to fix the deficit and reduce the debt with DOGE and tariffs, yet we're seeing none of it.

So where is the money going? Qatar?

#3 | Posted by jpw at 2026-02-11 12:11 PM | Reply

ICE, new planes, retrofitting a Qatari gift, ICE...

Did I mention ICE?

#4 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-02-11 12:15 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"So where is all the money going?"

Military, foreign regimes that kill people, and the all-important "homeland security" and "defense" apparatus.

#5 | Posted by pumpkinhead at 2026-02-11 12:22 PM | Reply

@#3 ... So where is all the money going? ...

Part 2 of that question is along the lines of... why is not enough money coming in to assuage the deficit?

Ans: Pres Trump's massive tax cuts to billionaires.

#6 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-02-11 12:23 PM | Reply

Federal debt to hit record levels. Not to be pedantic, but isn't every day a new record?

#7 | Posted by mattm at 2026-02-11 12:23 PM | Reply

Not to be pedantic, but isn't every day a new record?

Yep. Elon and DOGE were supposed to reduce the deficit to zero, but they reduced it by zero instead.

#8 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-02-11 12:29 PM | Reply

"Pres Trump's massive tax cuts to billionaires"

100% of which represents NEW BORROWING. Trillions and trillions of it.

#9 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-02-11 12:38 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Republicans are creating a fiscal hole that can only be filled with the taxes of billionaires.

Republicans know Republicans will never fill that hole.

It's economic murder/suicide.

#10 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-11 12:44 PM | Reply

The only conclusion is an intentional crashing of our currency and economy with the necessary police state apparatus being set up before it happens.

#11 | Posted by jpw at 2026-02-11 01:14 PM | Reply

Remember when Elmo promised he'd find $2 TRILLION in cuts with DOGE?

Just another lie on the wood pile.

#12 | Posted by Nixon at 2026-02-11 01:29 PM | Reply

intentional crashing

The goal is to kill social security and medicare to keep people working longer.

That's been the goal since the 1980s.

#13 | Posted by Nixon at 2026-02-11 01:31 PM | Reply

It's a stated reason why Pres Trump wants the Fed to lower interest rates.

To reduce the interest-load of the Trump Deficit upon the US budget.

Pres Trump has been saying that he wants the US to have the world's lowest interest rates, while the economy could grow at 15% per year.

What affect might that have upon inflation?

Trump to Kudlow: This country should have the lowest interest rates in the world'
www.foxbusiness.com

Trump Says Fed Chair Pick Kevin Warsh Could Drive More Than 15% Economic Growth
finance.yahoo.com

#14 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-02-11 09:53 PM | Reply

"the economy could grow at 15% per year."

This man has lost his mind.

#15 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-11 10:01 PM | Reply

THe whole thing looks set to come crashing down yet nobody in DC cares.

#16 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-02-12 06:17 PM | Reply

Plenty of people care.

The people in power, the people who could do anything about it, are the ones doing it.

#17 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-12 06:19 PM | Reply

THe whole thing looks set to come crashing down yet Republicans don't care.
#16 | POSTED BY BULLBRINGER

FTFY.

Your boy Trump added $2 trillion to the debt in 2025 and is looking to top that in 2026.

Don't you worry, it's something your grandkids will get stuck with.

You should keep freaking out about transgenders and immigrants.

I'm sure the next republican you vote for will ... keep kissing Trump's arse.

#18 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-02-12 06:23 PM | Reply

" THe whole thing looks set to come crashing down yet nobody in DC cares."

Which is EXACTLY what you voted for.

#19 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-02-12 06:32 PM | Reply

200+ years of two parties.

Every time one party controls the House, Senate, and White House, they try to pay off the National Debt.

As soon as the party even mentions revenue is greater than spending, the opposing party fights tooth and nail to prevent it.

It's always the opposing party that refuses to cut spending and paying off the Debt.

What's amazing is,when the parties switch the balance, they take opposing positions again.

Just once, all it takes, is both parties to agree to have surpluses that pays it off.

Too bad there's always one party that wants to be responsible.

They both suck.

#20 | Posted by Petrous at 2026-02-12 08:11 PM | Reply

Every time one party controls the House, Senate, and White House, they try to pay off the National Debt.

When, in your opinion, have republicans ever tried to pay off the national debt?

All they do is handout tax cuts to billionaires and pay for them by cutting government spending on programs than benefit all Americans.

Trump is responsible for $14.5 trillion of the debt.

#21 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-02-12 08:24 PM | Reply