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Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said Wednesday that the growing burden of interest payments on the national debt is the direct result of policies he opposed in Congress, a stance that he says cost him his re-election bid.
"$4,000 per year per American. That's how much interest we are paying on the debt to banks and foreign countries every year," Massie said in a post on X.
"A family of four owes $16,000 per year for nothing but interest on the debt."
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A single bad hire can set a startup back years. Here are the 5 hires founders most often misjudge — and why
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Massie lost his Kentucky primary in May to President Donald Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, after Trump campaigned against him for opposing his tax legislation and other party priorities.
$4,000 per year per American.That's how much interest we are paying on the debt to banks & foreign countries every year.A family of four owes $16,000 per year for nothing but interest on the debt!I lost my re-election because I voted against the policies that caused this.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) August 19, 2026
Haley Warns Social Security Could Follow
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley separately warned that Social Security could go bankrupt within five years, affecting 75 million Americans, as the national debt crossed $40.05 trillion this week.
"You can't blink away this growth in our debt," Haley said, calling it "past a crisis situation."
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Debt Costs Are Already Showing Up in Markets
Interest payments on the debt have reached nearly $1.2 trillion this year, now the largest federal expense after Social Security and Medicare, as the 30-year Treasury yield climbed to a 19-year high this week.
U.S. debt has more than doubled from $19.4 trillion a decade ago, with July's deficit alone reaching $432.3 billion, the largest monthly shortfall since March 2021, pushing the year-to-date total toward $1.8 trillion.
The Treasury Department has responded by doubling its long-dated bond buybacks to help stabilize yields.
Economist Mohamed El-Erian called the numbers "stunning," noting that interest payments now consume 20% of federal tax revenue even as the government runs a 6% deficit despite historically low unemployment.
Photo courtesy: Philip Yabut / Shutterstock
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Skip the Regrets: The Essential Retirement Tips Experts Wish Everyone Knew Earlier.
Think you're saving enough for your kids? You might be dangerously off — see why
Think you're saving enough for your kids? You might be dangerously off — see why
Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market
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Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100. This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly.
As electricity demand accelerates alongside AI and domestic energy production becomes a growing priority, Frontieras is developing patented technology that converts coal into fuels, chemicals, and low-emission energy products without combustion. Through its Regulation A offering, investors can gain exposure to an emerging energy infrastructure company focused on modernizing American industrial and power resources.
Farmland has historically held its value through market volatility and delivered returns uncorrelated to stocks and bonds. For accredited investors, FarmTogether offers direct access to high-quality U.S. farmland starting at $15,000 — fully managed, with no landlord headaches.
Private real estate and private credit can add income and stability to a stock-heavy portfolio. Fundrise offers access to diversified private real estate and credit strategies through an easy-to-use platform, with professionally managed portfolios designed to generate passive income and long-term growth.
As electricity demand rises alongside AI, data centers, and renewable energy, long-duration energy storage is becoming increasingly important. Qnetic is developing a kinetic energy storage system designed to provide long-lasting, chemical-free electricity storage, offering investors exposure to the infrastructure supporting a more resilient and reliable power grid.
For accredited investors looking beyond stocks and bonds, EquityMultiple provides access to vetted commercial real estate deals starting at $5,000, with only ~5% of opportunities passing their due diligence process.
As artificial intelligence drives unprecedented demand for computing power, the infrastructure behind it is becoming just as important as the software itself. BluSky AI is developing modular, prefabricated data centers designed to bring AI compute capacity online faster than traditional builds, giving investors exposure to a critical layer of the rapidly expanding AI ecosystem through its Regulation A offering.
© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Nikki Haley Warns Social Security Could 'Go Bankrupt' in 5 Years as US Debt Surges Past $40 Trillion: 'Past a Crisis Situation' Benzinga • 19h ago
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