US debt hits record $40 trillion; Trump shows off new White House helipad

The U.S. national debt crosses $40 trillion, adding another trillion in just five months, as rising borrowing costs increasingly feed into the interest rates consumers pay.

Plus, President Donald Trump declares an “economic D-Day” against Iran, threatening major financial penalties against countries that help Tehran evade U.S. sanctions.

And Trump taps Heidi Overton to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after she helped shape his controversial childhood vaccine changes, but a key Republican senator is already calling that role “almost disqualifying.”

These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.