Elon Musk: The US will go bankrupt by 1000%
Elon Musk warns that the US is on a path to 1000% bankruptcy without a surge in productivity through AI and robots. The national debt has crossed $40 trillion, the federal deficit stands at about $2 trillion, and interest expenses are expected to reach $1 trillion by 2026. Musk does not propose cuts but accelerated growth.
Elon Musk, the world's richest man, presented a grim forecast for the US economy: without a significant breakthrough in artificial intelligence and robotics, the US is, in his words, on a path to "1000% bankruptcy." The statement was made on a popular podcast and is now receiving renewed attention in light of national debt data. The national debt crossed the $40 trillion mark in August and reached about $40.3 trillion in early October. The federal deficit amounted to about $2 trillion in the first 11 months of fiscal year 2026. Net interest expenses are estimated at about $1 trillion for fiscal year 2026, about 3.3% of GDP, and are expected to double to $2.1 trillion by 2036. Musk does not propose budget cuts or tax increases, but rapid growth through AI and robots to increase productivity. The article notes that the US is not facing immediate bankruptcy, but the numbers illustrate the depth of the problem.