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U.S. Treasury Deficit Reaches $308 Billion in February, $1 Trillion in First Five FY2026 Months

U.S. Treasury Deficit Reaches $308 Billion in February, $1 Trillion in First Five FY2026 Months

The source says the U.S. budget deficit rose 225% month over month in February, putting the first five months of fiscal year 2026 at the third-worst start on record.

Fact Check
The figures cited ($308 billion for February and $1 trillion for the first five months of FY2026) are directly supported by reports from the CBO and CRFB. The month-over-month increase from January (approx. $95B) to February ($308B) represents a roughly 224-225% increase, matching the claim. The 'third-worst start' characterization is a standard fiscal analysis comparison used by the CRFB for this specific period.
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Terms & Concepts
  • Budget deficit: The amount by which government spending exceeds revenue during a set period, typically measured monthly or over a fiscal year.
  • Fiscal year 2026: A government accounting period for 2026 used to track revenue, spending, and deficits, which may not match the calendar year.