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Washington Week with The Atlantic

Trump shrugs off $40T national debt after vowing he'd cut it

Season 2026 Episode 34 | 9m 46s

President Trump, who campaigned on reducing the nation's debt, faces a fiscal picture that has continued to deteriorate under his watch. The national debt soared to $40 trillion this week as the Iran war grinds on with no clear end in sight.

Major funding for “Washington Week with The Atlantic” is provided by Consumer Cellular, Otsuka, Kaiser Permanente, the Yuen Foundation, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Extras
Watch • 26:46
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 8/21/26
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from August 21, 2026.
Episode: S2026 E34 | 26:46
Watch • 13:48
Washington Week with The Atlantic
As national debt climbs, Trump gives Washington a makeover
As the national debt climbs, Trump gives Washington a makeover
Clip: S2026 E34 | 13:48
Watch • 10:42
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Carrier conditions become symbol of Iran war miscalculation
Poor conditions on U.S. carrier become symbol of Iran war miscalculation
Clip: S2026 E33 | 10:42
Watch • 26:46
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 8/14/26
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from August 14, 2026.
Episode: S2026 E33 | 26:46
Watch • 10:18
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Trump’s secret flight
Trump’s secret flight
Clip: S2026 E33 | 10:18
Watch • 24:09
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 8/7/26
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from August 7, 2026.
Episode: S2026 E32 | 24:09
Watch • 12:28
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Has Trump squandered American military deterrence?
Has Trump squandered American military deterrence?
Clip: S2026 E32 | 12:28
Watch • 8:44
Washington Week with The Atlantic
How will Trump's focus on vanity impact GOP in midterms?
How will Trump's focus on vanity projects impact the GOP in the midterms?
Clip: S2026 E32 | 8:44
Watch • 18:09
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Why is the U.S. still fighting Iran?
Why is the U.S. still fighting Iran? And why are straight answers hard to come by?
Clip: S2026 E31 | 18:09
Watch • 26:46
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 7/31/26
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from July 31, 2026.
Episode: S2026 E31 | 26:46