In a worrying development, U.S. interest payments reached an all-time high of $104.4 billion in October, surpassing previous records and highlighting the escalating cost of servicing the national debt. This surge is largely attributed to rising interest rates by the Federal Reserve to combat inflation, as well as a growing national debt exceeding $33 trillion. 💰 The record figure signals a serious fiscal challenge for the U.S. government, prompting concerns about reduced capacity for public spending on essential services like healthcare, infrastructure, and social security. This situation could lead to tough choices in the near future, such as budget cuts or increased taxes. 📈 📉