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Is our national debt finally too much? (update)

NPR· Sep 23, 2026· 29m 49s

(Note: A version of this episode originally ran in 2024 .) $40,000,000,000,000. Four commas. Thirteen zeroes. It’s an eye-popping, almost infinite-sounding pile of money. And every time the debt passes a big round number, almost everyone asks the same question: How much debt is too much? It’s maybe the most important question in macroeconomics. It’s also surprisingly hard to answer. When two economists tried to answer it back in 2010, it ignited a research slugfest that lasted a decade. We did a

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Is our national debt finally too much? (update)

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  1. Welcome to the program. I'm your host.

    Welcome to the program. I'm your host.

    0:00

  2. Today we look at the major stories shaping the news cycle.

    Today we look at the major stories shaping the news cycle.

    0:04

  3. We start in Europe, where leaders met in Brussels.

    We start in Europe, where leaders met in Brussels.

    0:09

  4. The summit focused on energy policy and migration.

    The summit focused on energy policy and migration.

    0:14

  5. Reporting from the ground, our correspondent has more.

    Reporting from the ground, our correspondent has more.

    0:19

  6. Thank you. The mood here was tense but constructive.

    Thank you. The mood here was tense but constructive.

    0:24