Federal deficit (shown with a misleading axis on purpose)

1.31.51.71.92.1202020212022202320242025
y-axis starts at 1.3 · unit: $T

Federal deficit fell from 3.1 $T in 2020 to 2 $T in 2025 — a change of -1.1 $T (35.5%), a large move. The trend turned 1 time (around 2022), so a single straight line would oversimplify it. There are enough points to describe the trend, but not to make strong claims about turning points. Read the real magnitude off a zero-baseline chart — not a zoomed-in one.

Source: https://www.cbo.gov/topics/budget · axis flagged ⚑ · Econ Explainer