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Deficit Nears Two Trillion Dollars, Highest Since 2021

Government data showed the shortfall is the largest since twenty twenty-one, even though President Trump had promised to cut it; Washington's most reliable growth sector.

On air: Gloria Vance and Hank Ledger on Weekend Edition
Published 7:42 AM ET, Saturday, October 17, 2026

Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

Photo: Donald Trump — Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by Japan Today: “U.S. budget deficit grows to nearly $2 trillion, highest since 2021”.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 7:42 AM ET on Weekend Edition, by Gloria Vance and Hank Ledger.
Topics: US.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Japan TodayU.S. budget deficit grows to nearly $2 trillion, highest since 2021

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn Washington, government data released Friday showed the budget deficit grew to nearly two trillion dollars over the past year, the highest since twenty twenty-one, despite President Trump's promises to bring it down.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the government spent nearly two trillion dollars more than it took in, and the promise to fix that spent it too.

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