Decades after President John F. Kennedy urged Americans to prioritize service over self-interest, his iconic call to action is taking on a modern form. In a time where national debt figures resemble astronomical numbers, the U.S. Treasury is reviving civic responsibility—this time with a swipe, a tap, and a Venmo transfer.
The U.S. Treasury has embraced the age of apps and digital wallets by allowing citizens to make debt-reducing contributions through Venmo yes, the same app used to split bar tabs and pay for dog-sitting.
This move is part of the long-standing “Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt” program, a niche government initiative for those who either feel patriotic, overtaxed (in spirit), or just curious about unconventional giving. The addition of Venmo, first spotlighted by Planet Money’s Jack Corbett, signals a Gen Z-friendly nudge toward fiscal responsibility.
While the idea might seem quaint, the numbers tell a different story. Since 2001, the national debt has steadily climbed—regardless of which party holds the reins. Back then, it was $10.28 trillion. Today, it towers at $36.72 trillion and climbing. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” alone will add $3.4 trillion over the next decade. Despite grand savings promises from figures like Elon Musk and Trump, the real impact of their initiatives has reportedly fallen short—coming in well under the $180 billion mark, a fraction of the initially touted $2 trillion.
The federal budget paints a picture of imbalance. In fiscal year 2024, the government spent $6.75 trillion while pulling in only $4.92 trillion in revenue. Major expenses include over $2 trillion invested in the F-35 fighter jet program, $151 billion toward Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense system, and an annual $800 billion Pentagon budget this, despite the Pentagon failing its seventh consecutive audit.
Americans, ever generous, have chipped in about $67.3 million toward reducing the debt since 1996, a figure that barely makes a dent, funding approximately 20 minutes of federal spending.
Still, in true optimistic fashion, the government suggests that if each American coughed up around $107,000, the debt could be erased. For those willing to help, options now include ACH transfers, credit or debit card payments, PayPal, and of course, Venmo offering Americans a quirky yet sincere way to answer Kennedy’s historic challenge.