With usdebtclock now at $31.576 T, plus the current deficit of $1.4 T, that's not the source...
If $54.8 T is a 36% increase, that means $40 T was the previous debt.
No matter, the US fiat system is *designed* to never pay back a dime of principle. Since 1789, the total of US deficits has been $21 T. Never paid a dime in principle since then, and never will.
https://www.longtermtrends.net/us-debt-to-gdp/
Fiscal recklessness began under Reagan.
Clinton made headway in getting it under control.
Since Bush Jr. took over and until Biden took control, the problem has been getting worse.
The massive Biden inflation has reduced the debt/GDP ratio by cheating debt holders who may be getting 3-4% interest in the face of about 10% inflation.
The Weimar German inflation wiped out many German debts (and the life savings of millions).