US Posts Nearly $2 Trillion 2026 Deficit

The federal government recorded a nearly $2 trillion deficit in fiscal 2026, as spending rose faster than revenue despite no recession or emergency, according to the articles. The deficit-focused commentary points to growth in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid spending, defense costs, and debt interest, arguing that tariff revenue would have offset only a small fraction of the shortfall and warning that rising debt could constrain the U.S. over time. A separate budget commentary asks readers to assess the longer-term path under current law, in which real spending would grow and be financed through borrowing and revenue gains associated largely with economic growth. Together, the pieces frame the issue as both a question of fiscal sustainability and a choice about the government’s future priorities.