As a candidate, Trump said he could eliminate in eight years not just the federal deficit but the entire national debt accumulated over nearly two centuries. Instead, the nation's debt to the public has risen by another $1.7 trillion since he took office.

As a candidate, Trump said he could eliminate in eight years not just the federal deficit but the entire national debt accumulated over nearly two centuries. Instead, the nation's debt to the public has risen by another $1.7 trillion since he took office. https://t.co/YCr1ybUPhu

— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) June 23, 2019