In today’s political climate, it’s common for leaders on both sides to simplify or misrepresent facts, often creating a distorted picture of who is responsible for the nation’s economic challenges. Governor Tim Walz’s recent comment during the vice-presidential debate that Donald Trump’s tax cuts led to the largest increase in national debt at $8 trillion is one such instance where the truth requires a more nuanced exploration.

The National Debt: A Bipartisan Problem

Yes, it’s true that during Trump’s tenure, the national debt increased by about $7.8 trillion. But to lay the blame squarely on the former president — and particularly on the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — is a misrepresentation. The national debt, a multi-faceted issue, has been driven by various policies, many of them bipartisan in nature.

It’s important to remember that a significant portion of the debt incurred during Trump’s presidency resulted from unprecedented circumstances: namely, the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic spurred both Republican and Democrat lawmakers to pass several coronavirus relief packages aimed at stabilizing the economy and supporting American families. These packages amounted to trillions of dollars in spending, which necessarily added to the national debt. ProPublica and The Washington Post estimate that more than $3 trillion went toward COVID-19 relief alone. This bipartisan response was critical, as the nation faced a once-in-a-century crisis.

Trump also signed bipartisan budget acts in 2018 and 2019 that dramatically increased discretionary spending. The problem of excessive spending was not limited to one political party, and both Democrats and Republicans bear responsibility.

The Tax Cuts and Who Benefited

Governor Walz’s statement about the 2017 tax cuts predominantly benefiting the wealthiest Americans is also somewhat misleading. While it’s true that a significant portion of the tax cuts went to upper-income groups — the Tax Policy Center (TPC) estimated that 63.6% of the benefits in 2018 went to the top quintile of earners — it’s equally important to highlight that the majority of middle-income Americans also saw a reduction in their taxes. According to the TPC, 82% of middle-income earners received tax cuts, demonstrating that this legislation was not solely targeted at the wealthy.

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act did contribute to the debt — around $1 trillion, according to Marc Goldwein of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. But this is a far cry from the $7.8 trillion Walz implied was due solely to the tax cuts. The truth is more complex: a combination of the tax cuts, necessary discretionary spending, and emergency pandemic relief all played a role in increasing the debt during Trump’s term.

How Biden’s Debt Increase Mirrors Trump’s

Interestingly, while Trump is often blamed for adding trillions to the national debt, the same scrutiny has not been applied as consistently to the Biden administration, despite similar outcomes. Under Biden’s leadership, the national debt has increased by $7.7 trillion, nearly matching the increase under Trump, with three months still remaining in his term. Much of this debt was also due to pandemic-related spending and various economic relief efforts.

Yet, when progressives critique Trump for the national debt, they tend to be silent when it comes to Biden’s fiscal policies, even though both administrations were caught in extraordinary circumstances requiring high levels of government spending. There is a noticeable double standard when it comes to evaluating these two administrations’ impacts on the economy.

A Christian Conservative Perspective on Fiscal Responsibility

As Christians, we are called to be stewards of what God has entrusted to us. This stewardship applies not only to our personal finances but to our national resources as well. Excessive debt is not a responsible way to manage a nation’s wealth. Proverbs 22:7 warns that the borrower is servant to the lender, and we see this truth playing out as the United States becomes more beholden to foreign creditors due to its ballooning debt.

While Trump’s tax cuts helped stimulate the economy and benefited many American families, the uncontrolled government spending — whether under Republican or Democratic leadership — continues to be a significant concern. Both parties need to commit to policies that reduce unnecessary spending, promote fiscal responsibility, and lessen the burden on future generations. Conservatives must advocate for a balanced approach, recognizing that temporary relief measures are sometimes necessary, but long-term debt must be addressed with discipline and prudence.

Conclusion

Governor Walz’s portrayal of Trump’s role in the national debt increase is not the full picture. The debt crisis has been driven by a combination of factors, including bipartisan budget increases, necessary COVID-19 relief, and, yes, tax cuts — but the tax cuts alone are not to blame. Furthermore, we must be consistent in holding all leaders accountable, including the Biden administration, for their fiscal policies.

As Christians committed to truth, we should look beyond political rhetoric and seek a fair assessment of the facts. Our nation’s debt challenges cannot be pinned on one individual or one party. Instead, we must pray for our leaders and advocate for policies that uphold principles of good stewardship, responsibility, and accountability.