Live updates: US national debt hits record $40 trillion | AP News
LIVE
ALL
breaking news updates
Live updates: Over 750 US troops have been wounded since the Iran war began, Pentagon says
Follow the latest news on President Donald Trump and his administration | Aug. 20, 2026
Edited By
BRIDGET BROWN, AISHA I. JEFFERSON, LUENA RODRIGUEZ-FEO VILEIRA, NELL CLARK and LISA MARIE PANE
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year]
Here’s what we’re following:
- More than 750 U.S. troops have been woundedduring operations against Iran, according to Pentagon data.Of the 757 service members who have been wounded since the war began at the end of February, more than 580 are Army soldiers. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command have offered almost no details on how many of the injuries have occurred or the amount of damage that U.S. bases have sustained in the conflict.
- The national debt surpassed a record $40 trillion on Wednesday, a staggering milestone as defense costs, social programs like Social Security and Medicare and interest on the burgeoning deficit make up an enormous share of federal spending. The milestone figure was recorded just five months after the U.S.hit a record $39 trillion debtin March. It reached $38 trillionfive months before that, in October.
Trump praised Cohen for ‘recanting everything you said’
By MICHELLE L. PRICE
In the roughly 15-minute friendly exchange on the radio show between Trump and Cohen that aired Thursday evening, the president told his former lawyer that he respects “the fact that you recanted everything you said.”
“That’s a big thing that you did. That’s a very big thing,” Trump told him
Much of their conversation focused on Trump’s second term and the Iran war, with Cohen slipping back into a role of adviser and at one point telling Trump, “Maybe what we should do is then have a press conference and literally put out all of the accomplishments.”
More than 750 US troops have been wounded during operations against Iran, Pentagon data shows
By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN
Of the 757 service members who have been wounded since the war began in February, more than 580 are Army soldiers. The total injured also include 86 sailors, 64 airmen and 19 Marines
While many of the casualties are categorized as having occurred during “Operation Epic Fury,” the formal name for the conflict, the Pentagon created a new category for wounded troops called “Overseas Operations” in the Defense Casualty Analysis System in late July. The Pentagon said that was because Operation Epic Fury has concluded and the military has decided to classify casualties tied to the latest strikes in the new category
The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command have offered almost no details on how the injuries have occurred or the amount of damage that U.S. bases have sustained. However, officials have said the vast majority of the injuries are traumatic brain injuries
Michael Cohen says he sent a pardon application to Trump after first submitting it to Biden
By MICHELLE L. PRICE
Trump’s former fixer told CNN on Thursday that he applied for a pardon to former President Joe Biden, but it was denied. Cohen served prison time for his role in what he said was covering up Trump’s “dirty deeds.”
“What I did is I took that same application, with the same documentation, and I just rewrote the cover letter removing the name of President Joe Biden and inserting the name President Donald Trump,” Cohen said
Cohen said he has not received any acknowledgment from the Trump White House of the application but he said it’s on his to-do list for Friday
Canadian premier says Trump is a ‘bad person’ as Canada weighs concessions for trade deal
By ROB GILLIES
FILE – Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew talks to media as he arrives for a first ministers meeting in Ottawa on Jan.15, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Canada has leverage in the talks even as his province weighs restoring U.S. alcohol sales at Prime Minister Mark Carney’s urging to help secure a deal that would avert threatened 50% U.S. tariffs
“Everybody knows the American president by now, he’s erratic, he’s irresponsible, and he’s not to be trusted. And this is the person that we were supposed to make a deal with, and we’re going to make additional concessions for it. That’s why I say you can’t make a good deal with a bad person, because who’s to say it’s not going to be undone?” Kinew said
Dominic LeBlanc, the federal minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, said Thursday the two countries were close to finalizing an agreement after he returned to Washington to meet again with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer
Army is shutting down unit in Europe focused on drones
By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN
The Army’s top general has directed a Europe-based unit specializing in drone warfare to revert to traditional infantry roles
The 173rd Airborne Brigade has spent over a year experimenting with drones, influenced by tactics from the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Last November, 600 soldiers formed a battalion that specialized in drone warfare and was set up to deploy anywhere drones were required
Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the Army’s acting chief of staff, has ordered the battalion to refocus on its core mission of being an airborne infantry unit, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal Army deliberations. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported the change
The move is part of broader Army changes under LaNeve, who took over after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ousted his predecessor, Gen. Randy George, in April
Melania Trump accepts $2 million gift to provide college scholarships
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, JESSE BEDAYN
Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks, center, and IndyCar President Doug Boles, right, present a commemorative check to first lady Melania Trump, second left, to fund her scholarship initiative “Fostering The Future,” as Indiana University President Pamela Whitten, left, and Cherise Hall, vice provost for enrollment management at Purdue University, second right, look on an event in the Rose Garden of the White House, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Washington. /Jacquelyn Martin)
The $2 million donation from IndyCar and Fox Corp. will pay for scholarships at Indiana University and Purdue University through the first lady’s Fostering the Future program for youngsters in foster care
The Indiana schools are the latest to join a network of more than two dozen colleges and universities nationwide that participate in her program, she said during an event in the White House Rose Garden to announce the gift. The program, she said, give foster care youth the opportunity to get a college education, launch a career and achieve financial independence
“America’s greatest competitive advantage remains in its own people,” she said
IndyCar is sponsoring Sunday’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix through the streets of downtown Washington in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary
President Donald Trump, center left, and first lady Melania Trump pose for a photo as they attend an event in the Rose Garden of the White House, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
President Donald Trump, from row from right, and first lady Melania Trump attend an event in the Rose Garden of the White House, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Treasury extends Lukoil license
By FATIMA HUSSEIN
The U.S. Treasury has extended a general license that grants permission for certain transactions connected to the potential sale of the foreign assets of sanctioned Russian oil firm Lukoil
The latest license, which has been renewed several times, expires Sept. 19
Last October, the Trump administration announced “massive sanctions” against Russia’s oil industry that were aimed at moving Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and bring an end to Moscow’s brutal war on Ukraine. Those sanctions included punishing measures on Lukoil
Trump meets Vance’s baby
By MICHELLE L. PRICE
The vice president said in an interview on a radio show on Thursday that he took his youngest son, Alec Neel Vance, who was born July 19, to meet Trump
Vance, speaking on the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, said the president loves children and gave his son a challenge coin
“The baby doesn’t understand that, but he will someday,” Vance said
Vance said the meeting happened after he and his wife, Usha, had lunch with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and country music star Luke Bryan, who is in town for a show
Trump keeps embracing data centers even as they become toxic in midterm races
By JESSE BEDAYN, MARC LEVY, SCOTT BAUER
The president has voiced strong support for AI and data centers, emphasizing their economic benefits and importance in the global AI race
“If I were the mayor of a town or the governor of a state, and I had a chance to get a big plant in, an AI plant or a data center,” Trump said, “I would absolutely want it because the jobs are enormous and the money paid, the taxes paid, are just enormous.”
Candidates in competitive midterm elections, however, are far less accepting
Data centers have become a contentious issue, with concerns about energy costs and environmental impact. In Ohio, Republican Jon Husted faces attacks over his support for data centers. In Nevada, Democrat Aaron Ford accused Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo of aligning with Trump on the issue
The debate reflects broader tensions over technology and local impact
▶ Read more
Ex-Trump fixer Michael Cohen is hosting the president on his radio show
By MICHELLE L. PRICE
Trump is expected to appear on the radio show of his former fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen
The interview, which will be broadcast later Thursday, will be a dramatic public reunion with the man who once called Trump a “Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain” and testified against him both in court and before Congress
Cohen served prison time for what he told a judge were his efforts to cover up Trump’s “dirty deeds.” He has since said he and the president have started to reconcile
Cohen says Trump’s taped interview will air on his 77 WABC program Thursday evening and Sunday
▶Read more
US ramps up Cuba sanctions and detentions of Americans returning from the island
By MATTHEW V. LEE
The Trump administration is imposing new sanctions on Cuba targeting its mining and metals sectors and broadening restrictions on Americans’ transactions with government-owned or affiliated businesses. It also accused Havana of using cultural and educational exchanges to radicalize U.S. citizens
The Treasury and State departments announced sanctions on Thursday against 10 state-owned mining, metals, and construction companies and the leadership of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, or ICAP
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ICAP is responsible for sponsoring a “subversive network” to “cultivate” Americans, most recently with educational and cultural exchanges around the 100th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s birth earlier this month
The sanctions follow an operation at the Miami airport last weekend in which several American citizens returning to the U.S. from events marking Castro’s birthday in Cuba were briefly detained, some of whom had their cell phones and other personal electronic devices seized for inspection
Federal agents seize devices from ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct probe, AP
By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER
Federal agents have seized electronic devices from former Rep. Eric Swalwell and searched his Washington home as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by the ex-Democratic congressman from California, according to a person familiar with the matter
Swalwell’s devices were seized at the San Francisco airport on Saturday, and federal agents searched his home a day later
A message seeking comment was left Thursday with an attorney for Swalwell
Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress in April following sexual assault and misconduct allegations, which he has denied. The APly and spoke on the condition of anonymity
▶ Read more
Bessent says bond buyback operation could be more than $4 billion
By FATIMA HUSSEIN
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said during a CNBC interview on Thursday that an accelerated buyback of government debt “could be more than $4 billion per issue.”
His comments followed the Treasury’s Wednesday announcement that it would dramatically expand the amount of U.S. government bonds it will buy back. When asked about the motivation for the move, Bessent said: “We’re trying to signal that this is a thinly traded area of the market, we’re in August and there’s been a lot of corporate issuances.”
“We’re trying to keep the market in equilibrium.”
JUST IN: Federal agents seize devices from ex-Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct investigation, AP
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Melania Trump is set to announce new scholarships for foster children
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE
The first lady is partnering with IndyCar, the sanctioning body for U.S. auto racing, and Indiana and Purdue universities to fund the scholarships, her office says
Both Indiana-based schools are joining about two dozen other institutions of higher learning to offer scholarships through Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future” initiative benefiting young people in foster care
A formal announcement is set for Thursday afternoon in the White House Rose Garden. The first lady will be joined by her husband and representatives from IndyCar and the universities
The announcement comes just before Sunday’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix race in downtown Washington, which was organized by the president to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday
US approves $4.5 billion sale of military aerial refueling planes to Qatar
By MATTHEW LEE
The State Department said Thursday that it had given the green light for Qatar, a key U.S. partner in the Gulf, to buy four KC-46A aircraft along with assorted equipment, including turbofan engines, radar warning devices and countermeasure systems. The sale will also include trucks, training and assorted logistics services
The sale “will increase Qatar’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing its defense capabilities and interoperability with U.S. and allied forces and reinforcing Qatar’s strategic role in regional security,” the department said
Qatar, which hosts a major U.S. military base, has been a critical part of the war with Iran, including by trying to mediate an end to the conflict
North Korea fires missile barrage toward the sea after dismissing overture from Trump
By HYUNG-JIN KIM
The launches come a day after North Korea shrugged off a U.S. decision to scale back military drills with South Korea in an apparent bid to resume diplomacy
South Korea’s military said the launches of about 10 short-range ballistic missiles happened from North Korea’s capital region Thursday evening. The military said the missiles flew about 300 kilometers each toward North Korea’s eastern waters
Trump ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises just before they began Monday. The president cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s refusal to support him over the war in Iran
▶ Read more
White House legislative affairs director James Braid is leaving his post
By WILL WEISSERT
Braid was in charge of helping to shepherd Trump’s legislative agenda through a Congress where his Republican Party controlled both chambers
Vice President JD Vance wrote on X that Braid “played a critical role in all of the administration’s achievements in Congress,” including the sweeping tax and spending legislation approved last summer
Vance described Braid as “brilliant” and “one of the hardest workers you will ever meet.”
The vice president didn’t provide details of Braid’s next job, saying only that he was “very excited to see what he does next.”
Fresh US aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East
By BEN FINLEY
The Asia-based USS George Washington aircraft carrier is now operating in the Middle East, the U.S. military said Thursday
The Washington is relieving the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln after reports that sailors were facing mental health challenges and supply shortages while supporting the Iran war
The Lincoln’s deployment has included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea. Democratic lawmakers are pressing for accountability from the Pentagon over conditions aboard the carrier, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said were “completely misrepresented.”
The deployment of the Washington to the Middle East has left Asia without an American carrier strike group at a time when China shows more signs of aggression
Rubio designates U.S. citizen jailed in China as ‘wrongfully detained’
By MATTHEW LEE
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has designated a U.S. citizen scholar jailed in China as “wrongfully detained” as Trump prepares to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House next month
The State Department said Thursday that Rubio had decided that Min Zin, who was arrested by Chinese authorities in June, is being unjustly held
“We call on Beijing to release all U.S. citizens arbitrarily detained or exit-banned in China,” the department said
The designation raises the profile of his case within the U.S. government and in the past has led to additional attention and res
Min Zin, who writes about Myanmar and Chinese foreign policy, was arrested on suspicion of spying. He was a student activist in Myanmar’s 1988 uprising, a student-led movement that the government at the time reacted to with military force. He eventually sought asylum in the U.S
JUST IN: US unemployment claims fell to 206,000 last week, with layoffs still low by historic standards
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
House Democrats add five new candidates to ‘red to blue’ program
By LISA MASCARO
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said the expansion showcases the depth of their candidate bench as they try to wrest majority control of the House
Chair Suzan DelBene said the candidates are “proven fighters” at a time when voters are “eager for leaders who will always put the well-being of their communities first, not rubber stamp Trump’s failed agenda.”
The candidates include Retired Army Brigadier General Leela Gray in Florida, former federal prosecutor Zach Dembo in Kentucky, Maine state auditor Matt Dunlap, former Navy helicopter pilot Nancy Lacore in South Carolina and former Rep. Tom Perriello in Virginia. The “red to blue” program invests in promising candidates with funding and other support
Democrats narrow their list of 2028 presidential convention sites to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia
By MIKE CATALINI
Democrats on Thursday narrowed the list of potential host cities for their 2028 presidential convention to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia as their party looks ahead to a wide-open primary to succeed President Trump
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement the cities put forward “incredibly strong bids,” and he promised the convention would be an “inspiring celebration of our party’s future nominee.”
A final decision is expected to be made later this year by party leaders. Republicans have already chosen Houston for the site of their 2028 convention
The Democratic convention, scheduled for Aug. 7-10, 2028, traditionally gives the party a chance to formally introduce its nominee to the country, rally the base and kick-start the most intense period of campaigning ahead of the general election
The party didn’t specify why Atlanta and Chicago, which was the site of the 2024 convention, were eliminated. Officials visited all five cities in April and May, considering logistical and fundraising capacity among other factors
▶ Read more
Trump plays White House tour guide to show off work on his helipad and ballroom
By WILL WEISSERT, COLLIN BINKLEY
President Donald Trump speaks outside the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Washington, at the construction site of the new helicopter landing zone on the South Lawn of the White House. /Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Trump played White House tour guide on Wednesday, showing off the helipad he is building on the lawn before leaning over to autograph a piece of it and bragging about the ballroom he’s rushing to complete despite legal challenges
Trump gushed for several uninterrupted minutes about granite being laid and said the chopper landing area would leave visiting foreign leaders “very impressed” — including Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is coming next month
At times, he sounded almost like a construction manager, singing the praises of granite over asphalt in painstaking detail and noting for reporters he brought out for the show that the stone could withstand 35,000 pounds per square inch of pressure
The president also revealed for the first time that he has replaced the walkway from the White House’s diplomatic entrance along with a portion of the asphalt driveway around the South Lawn with white granite
▶ Read more
An alarmed bond market gets the Trump administration to act again
By STAN CHOE, CHRISTOPHER RUGABER
Normally quiet, the bond market can occasionally send warning signals loud enough to hit stock markets worldwide and even grab the attention of U.S. presidents and other world leaders
After the bond market’s alarm bells rose in volume through the summer, the Trump administration announced on Wednesday a move that could help calm it down. The U.S. Treasury Department said it will more than double the amount of U.S. government bonds that it will buy back, and the move worked in getting longer-term yields lower, for now at least
Yields worldwide had earlier climbed to heights not reached in years and, in some cases, decades, because of the jump in oil prices due to the war with Iran, worries about big and growing debts for governments and other concerns
The stakes are high because high yields drag on economies and bring downward pressure on stock markets after Wall Street hit records on excitement about big corporate profits and the promise of artificial-intelligence technology
But what’s to come is still uncertain, and some analysts warn the Treasury Department’s move could even ultimately backfire
▶ Read more
The US national debt now stands at $40 trillion
By FATIMA HUSSEIN
The national debt surpassed a record $40 trillion on Wednesday, a staggering milestone as defense costs, social programs like Social Security and Medicare and interest on the burgeoning deficit make up an enormous share of federal spending
The milestone figure was recorded just five months after the U.S. hit a record $39 trillion debt in March. It reached $38 trillion five months before that, in October
The unprecedented $40 trillion figure highlights competing administration priorities, from boosting defense spending that the U.S. relies on to carry out President Donald Trump’s almost-6-month-old war in Iran to lowering the cost of gas and groceries
Kush Desai, a White House spokesman, said the Trump administration “has been focused on slashing waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending while accelerating economic growth to get America’s debt-to-GDP ratio trending in the right direction.”
However, experts say the exploding debt and the latest record milestone are already affecting Americans’ pocketbooks by raising borrowing costs for things like mortgages and cars, lowering wages from businesses that have less money available to invest, and creating more expensive goods and services
▶ Read more
