What was the national debt when Reagan took the presidency?

Barack Obama -- Under President Obama, the national debt grew the most dollar-wise. He added $7.917 trillion, a 68 percent increase, in seven years. This was the fifth-largest increase, percentage-wise. read more

The United States public debt as a percentage of GDP reached its highest level during Harry Truman's first presidential term, during and after World War II. Public debt as a percentage of GDP fell rapidly in the post-World War II period, and reached a low in 1973 under President Richard Nixon. read more

Let’s go back to a good neutral primary source: the White House’s own budget tables on the White House website. When President Reagan took office, the U.S. national debt was $1 trillion. read more