Summary3 min read

Podcast Summary: Becker Business with Scott Becker

Episode: "The Deficit Is Going to Grow by $20+ Trillion 8-20-25"

Date: August 20, 2025

Overview

In this episode, host Scott Becker tackles the alarming projections around the United States federal deficit. Drawing on a recent report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Becker discusses the potential $22 trillion increase in the national deficit over the next decade, highlighting how rising interest payments and recent legislative actions are contributing to this staggering outlook.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. New CBO Deficit Projections

Scott opens with news from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which has recently revised its projections:

“The CBO came out with a report yesterday ... they see the budget growing, the deficit budget growing by $22 trillion over the next 10 years.”
[00:09]
He emphasizes the scale:

“That’ll add to the $38 trillion we have already. So here’s what’s going on with this one.”
[00:18]

2. Legislative Impacts on the Deficit

Becker points out that about $4 trillion of the projected increase comes from what he calls "one big beautiful bill", a piece of legislation he describes as “very unrepublican,” due to its additional deficit spending component:

“Is that $4 trillion or so that is added by the one big beautiful bill, which is a very unrepublican bill, and that it adds to more deficit spending.”
[00:23]
He notes that substantial spending was effectively “pre-baked” into federal policy:

“A lot of this was pre baked into it.”
[00:32]

3. The Burden of Interest Payments

Rising annual interest payments on the debt are a major concern, with no relief in sight:

“But we’re also spending more and more each year on interest payments and that doesn’t seem like it’s going to get better anytime soon.”
[00:34]

4. Consequences and Urgency

Scott warns listeners that these projections might be optimistic:

“We’ll be lucky if it’s just that. But that’s a horrendous thing in the big scheme of things.”
[00:44]
He shares a principle often cited on the show, underscoring the stakes:

“As we say often debt kills companies, it kills families, it kills countries. We need to get the debt under control, the deficit under control.”
[01:11]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the shocking size of the projected deficit:

“22 trillion dollars. That’ll add to the 38 trillion we have already.”
[00:13]
On government spending practices:

“One big beautiful bill, which is a very unrepublican bill ... adds to more deficit spending.”
[00:23]
On the relentless burden of interest:

“We’re also spending more and more each year on interest payments and that doesn’t seem like it’s going to get better anytime soon.”
[00:34]
On the gravity of unchecked debt:

“Debt kills companies, it kills families, it kills countries.”
[01:11]

Timestamps of Important Segments

00:09-00:18 — CBO’s projection of a $22 trillion increase in the deficit.
00:23-00:32 — Discussion of the legislative bill and its impact on the deficit.
00:34-00:44 — Rising interest payments and escalating debt.
01:11-01:15 — The far-reaching consequences of excessive debt.

Conclusion

Scott Becker’s episode serves as a stark warning about the trajectory of the U.S. deficit. With a projected $22 trillion growth over the next decade, driven by new legislative spending and ballooning interest payments, he calls for urgent action:

“We need to get the debt under control, the deficit under control.”
[01:12]

Listeners are left with a clear takeaway—without meaningful fiscal discipline, the consequences for the country could be dire.

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Transcript11 lines

[00:00]
A
This is Scott Becker with the Becker.
[00:02]
B
Business Media podcast.
[00:03]
A
The Becker Private.
[00:04]
B
Equity Podcast.
[00:05]
A
Thank you for listening and have a great day today.
[00:09]
B
Today's discussion.
[00:10]
A
Is the deficit is going to grow by 20 trillion plus. So this is the story. The CPO came out with a report yesterday that changed their take and basically said they see the budget growing, the deficit budget growing by 22 trillion over the next 10 years. This is by all accounts an astound number. 22 trillion dollars. That'll add to the 38 trillion we have already. So here's what's going on with this one. Is that 4 trillion or so that is added by the one big beautiful bill, which is a very unrepublican bill, and that it adds to more deficit spending. And a lot of this was pre baked into it. But we're also spending more and more each year on interest payments and that doesn't seem like it's going to get better anytime soon. So again, this leaves us with a projection of 20 trillion more in deficits over the next 10 years. We'll be lucky if it's just that. But that's a horrendous thing in the big scheme of things.
[01:11]
B
We'll see how this goes.
[01:12]
A
But again, as we say, often debt kills companies, it kills families, it kills countries. We need to get the debt under control, the deficit under control. Thank you for listening to the Becker.
[01:25]
B
Business podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast.
[01:27]
A
Thank you very, very much.