Trump takes back claim he could eliminate national debt

Source: The Hill | April 22, 2016 | Harper Neidig

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump this week walked back his assertion that he could eliminate the country’s debt after two terms as president.

In an interview with Fortune Magazine published Friday, Trump was asked how his pledge to pay off the $19 trillion debt in 10 years was possible.

“No, I didn’t say 10 years,” Trump responded. “First of all, with low interest rates, you can think in terms of refinancings, and get it down. I believe you can do certain things to pay off the debt more quickly. The most important thing is to make sure the economy stays strong. You can do it in smaller chunks. You can do it in larger chunks. And you can do it in refinancings.”

Trump had, in fact, told The Washington Post editorial board earlier this month that he would pay off the debt in eight years by renegotiating trade deals. The Post called that claim “nonsensical.” 

His plan was also derided by budget hawks, who called it ridiculous.

Trump added in the Fortune interview that he now wants to pay off a “percentage” of it, but he hasn’t decided what that figure would be.

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