Trump didn’t mention the $38.8 trillion national debt once in his State of the Union, but 90% of voters are worried

Fortune

by Nick Lichtenberg

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in history, touching on various topics but notably omitting any mention of the $38.8 trillion national debt. Despite this silence, voters are deeply concerned about the growing debt and its impact on inflation, living costs, and personal finances. A bipartisan poll by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation revealed that 90% of voters view the national debt as a pressing issue, linking it to rising prices for essentials like groceries, energy, housing, and transportation. The survey highlights that voters are particularly worried about how the debt affects interest rates, leading to higher borrowing costs for car loans, mortgages, and credit card payments. This economic anxiety is widespread across political parties, with 96% of Democrats, 87% of Republicans, and 85% of independents expressing concern. The poll underscores a rare bipartisan consensus on this issue, with voters demanding concrete solutions from leaders. While Trump claimed that reducing fraud in government programs could balance the budget, experts argue this approach is unrealistic and insufficient to address the $1.78 trillion deficit. Additionally, his administration's policies, such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, have been criticized for offering short-term tax relief while endangering the long-term viability of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. For business-focused readers, this matters because economic anxiety is reshaping political priorities and voter behavior. With 83% of voters considering a candidate's debt plan as a "deciding factor" in elections, leaders must address this issue to maintain public trust and drive sustainable economic growth. The national debt is not just a fiscal challenge but a pressing concern that could influence policy decisions and business environments for years to come.

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Originally published on Fortune on 2/26/2026