The giant federal deficit, approaching WWII levels
Sep 3, 2020

The giant federal deficit, approaching WWII levels

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The debt looks a lot like it did in 1946. Also, another 880,000 people signed up for jobless benefits. That seems down, yet it is a false comparison. And, KFC is caught between the Trump administration and Chinese tech companies.

Segments From this episode

U.S. debt is hitting historic heights. How much of a problem is that?

The last time the deficit was this high, as a percentage of the total economy, was 1946.
A national debt counter from mid-June. The U.S. is approaching a position it has not seen since World War II, as the amount of government debt is on pace to exceed the size of the nation's economy.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Why it's hard to compare the latest reading on people filing for unemployment

Any way you cut it, the economy is not recovering fast enough, says Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton. She breaks down the numbers.

Music from the episode

Change Of Heart El Perro Del Mar

The team

Victoria Craig Host, BBC
Stephen Ryan Senior Producer, BBC
Jonathan Frewin Producer, BBC
Daniel Shin Producer
Jay Siebold Technical Director
Brian Allison Engineer
Meredith Garretson Morbey Senior Producer
Erika Soderstrom Producer
Rose Conlon Producer
Alex Schroeder Producer