This story appeared in Today, Explained, a daily newsletter that helps you understand the most compelling news and stories of the day. Subscribe here. America’s national debt cleared 40trillionforthefirsttimeeveronWednesday,anumbersocomicallylargeastofeelimaginary.Seriouslylookatitinallofitscommastrewnglory:40 trillion for the first time ever on Wednesday, a number so comically large as to feel imaginary. Seriously — look at it in all of its comma-strewn glory: 40,203,821,194,241. […]