Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast – August 20, 2025

Episode Title: The Deficit Is Going to Grow by $20+ Trillion 8-20-25
Host: Scott Becker

Episode Overview

This brief episode features host Scott Becker discussing a new report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) highlighting the United States' projected federal deficit increase over the next decade. Becker focuses on the scale and implications of this growing deficit for the country, echoing concerns about unsustainable fiscal policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New CBO Deficit Projections

• Main Message:
  The CBO has updated its forecast, now projecting that the US budget deficit will increase by $22 trillion over the next 10 years.

• Context and Comparison:

  • This is a significant jump, adding to the existing $38 trillion national debt.
  • The projection surpasses previous expectations and has alarmed financial observers.

• Quote:

  "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."
  — Scott Becker [00:09]

2. Causes Behind the Deficit Growth

• Legislation Impact:

  • A recently passed major bill contributed approximately $4 trillion to the projected deficit.
  • Becker describes it as an "unrepublican bill" due to its sizable increase in government spending.

• Interest Payments:

  • Interest payments on the existing debt are increasing annually, worsening the deficit outlook.

• Quote:

  "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, in that it adds to more deficit spending... 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."
  — Scott Becker [00:26]

3. Long-Term Implications

• Potential Underestimation:

  • Becker warns that the actual numbers might be even higher if spending continues at this rate:

    "We'll be lucky if it's just that. But that's a horrendous thing in the big scheme of things."
    — Scott Becker [00:55]

• Urgency for Fiscal Discipline:

  • He reiterates the dangers of runaway debt for companies, families, and nations:

    "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."
    — Scott Becker [01:11]

Notable Quotes

• On the Scale of the Problem:

  "22 trillion dollars. That'll add to the 38 trillion we have already."
  — Scott Becker [00:14]

• On the Dangers of Excessive Debt:

  "Debt kills companies, it kills families, it kills countries."
  — Scott Becker [01:13]

Key Timestamps

• [00:09] – Announcement of new CBO report and $22 trillion projection
• [00:26] – Breakdown of legislative and interest costs
• [00:55] – Warning that projections may be underestimated
• [01:11] – Emphasis on the destructive nature of debt

Summary

Scott Becker delivers a focused, urgent analysis on the troubling trajectory of America’s federal deficit, following a new CBO report forecasting a $22 trillion increase over the next decade. Citing legislative actions and ballooning interest payments as driving factors, Becker urges immediate attention to fiscal discipline, warning that unchecked debt threatens the stability of not just governments, but also companies and families.

For listeners, this episode spotlights the critical issue of rising national debt, encapsulating both the scale of the problem and the pressing need for reform in just a few powerful minutes.