'Nothing has gotten better': Focus group shares affordability concerns as US debt tops $40 trillion

NBC News' Allie Canal and Sahil Kapur join Meet the Press NOW as the U.S. national debt tops a record-breaking $40 trillion. Ravi Agrawal, editor in chief of Foreign Policy, discusses President Trump's plans for an "Economic D-Day" for Iran. An NBC News focus group produced by Syracuse University and the research firms Engagious and Sago finds that affordability remains the top issue for voters ahead of November's midterm elections.

NBC News Logo Politics U.S. News WorldLocalNew YorkLos AngelesChicagoDallas-Fort WorthPhiladelphiaWashington, D.C.BostonBay AreaSouth FloridaSan DiegoConnecticut Sports Business Health SHOPPING TiplineSubscribe

Subscriber HubSavedNewslettersProfileSubscriptionPreferencesSearchSearchSectionsU.S. NewsPoliticsWorldBusinessSportsInvestigationsCulture & TrendsHealthScienceTechWeatherVIDEOPhotosSudokuNBC SelectedNBC Asian AmericaNBC BLKNBC LatinoNBC OUTLocalNew YorkLos AngelesChicagoDallas-Fort WorthPhiladelphiaWashington, D.C.BostonBay AreaSouth FloridaSan DiegoConnecticuttvTodayNightly NewsMeet the PressDatelineFeaturedNBC News NowNightly FilmsStay TunedSpecial FeaturesNewslettersPodcastsListen NowBusiness in AmericaMore From NBCNBC.COMNBCU AcademyPeacockNEXT STEPS FOR VETSNBC News Site MapHelpFollow NBC News news Alerts

There are no new alerts at this time

SearchSearchFacebookTwitterEmailSMSBlue SkyWhatsappPrintRedditFlipboardPinterestLinkedinLatest StoriesPoliticsU.S. NewsWorldSportsBusinessHealthSHOPPINGTipline'Nothing has gotten better': Focus group shares affordability concerns as US debt tops $40 trillionAug. 20, 202620:52Angie Nixon says 'I'm not a socialist' despite joining DSA08:36Angie Nixon says Florida 'is not red, it just hasn't been invested in by Democrats': Full interview12:07'I am not running for president,' Attorney General Todd Blanche says at Iowa State Fair05:24Now Playing'Nothing has gotten better': Focus group shares affordability concerns as US debt tops $40 trillion20:52UP NEXTHow Sen. Darline Graham’s debate blunder could give undecided voters ‘some pause’06:21‘Fed up with a war they didn't want’: Midwestern voters air frustrations impacting the midterms05:33Democratic candidate for FL governor says Trump is ‘promoting socialism’ as president10:25Diversity ‘strengthens us’: Democrat challenging Debbie Wasserman Schultz after GOP redistricting08:26Kornacki previews key Florida primaries after ‘dramatic’ redistricting10:53‘Resign. You’re destroying the country’: Republican voter in key Ohio district slams Trump06:47Florida Democratic Socialist Senate candidate downplays labels & touts ‘people-centered policies’06:44‘We need fresh new leaders’ says Democrat challenging Debbie Wasserman Schultz09:34Trump ‘doesn’t have a plan’ on Iran: Voters in key Pennsylvania district upset with handling of war07:31House Republican says GOP is 'united' as Democrats wage 'proxy battles' in primaries09:38Trump says he will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory15:25Peggy Flanagan welcomes Chuck Schumer on the campaign trail but says ‘it is time for new leadership’10:59Wisconsin Democrat David Crowley calls for ‘big tent’ after narrowly beating Francesca Hong09:59Democratic House candidate calls on party to ‘get better at making change’ after ousting incumbent08:15Pennsylvania ‘odd couple’ Fetterman & McCormick eager to build bipartisan relationship04:06Kornacki previews ‘topsy turvy’ Wisconsin gubernatorial race between Francesca Hong & David Crowley18:54Meet the Press'Nothing has gotten better': Focus group shares affordability concerns as US debt tops $40 trillion20:52CopiedNBC News' Allie Canal and Sahil Kapur join Meet the Press NOW as the U.S. national debt tops a record-breaking $40 trillion. Ravi Agrawal, editor in chief of Foreign Policy, discusses President Trump's plans for an "Economic D-Day" for Iran. An NBC News focus group produced by Syracuse University and the research firms Engagious and Sago finds that affordability remains the top issue for voters ahead of November's midterm elections.Aug. 20, 2026

onAngie Nixon says 'I'm not a socialist' despite joining DSA08:36Angie Nixon says Florida 'is not red, it just hasn't been invested in by Democrats': Full interview12:07'I am not running for president,' Attorney General Todd Blanche says at Iowa State Fair05:24Now Playing'Nothing has gotten better': Focus group shares affordability concerns as US debt tops $40 trillion20:52UP NEXTHow Sen. Darline Graham’s debate blunder could give undecided voters ‘some pause’06:21‘Fed up with a war they didn't want’: Midwestern voters air frustrations impacting the midterms05:33Get more newsLiveonBest of NBC News