The prominent author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, has issued a stark warning regarding the rapidly expanding $39.2 trillion US national debt. In a recent public statement, the financial commentator questioned how a government that extracts roughly 40% of its citizens’ hard-earned income still manages to accumulate trillions of dollars in liabilities.
The Tax Paradox
While 40% is not a single official federal tax rate, it represents the cumulative burden of federal income, payroll, state, sales, and property taxes on average working families. Kiyosaki uses this figure to highlight a glaring systemic issue: heavy taxation has failed to curb Washington’s insatiable appetite for borrowing.
A Looming Fiscal Crisis
Data from the US Treasury confirms that the public debt outstanding has hovered near historic highs. According to projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the situation is set to worsen significantly over the next decade.
- Current US National Debt: $39.2 trillion
- Projected Debt by 2036: $64 trillion
- Average Savings Account Yield: 4%
- Gold Performance (1-Year): +65%
Central Banks Abandoning US Treasuries
Kiyosaki pointed out a massive structural shift in global finance. Central banks are quietly rotating out of US government debt and moving into hard assets. Recent data from the European Central Bank (ECB) supports this claim, revealing that gold accounted for 27% of global official reserves by the end of 2025, officially overtaking US Treasuries, which fell to 22%.
“Gold is up 65% in one year. Savings pay 4% a year. Central banks are dumping US Treasuries for gold. Get the picture?”
Protecting Wealth with Scarce Assets
With traditional fiat currencies losing purchasing power due to inflation and aggressive government spending, Kiyosaki urges savers to rethink their financial strategies. He argues that holding cash in traditional bank accounts exposes individuals to systemic risks. Instead, he advocates for decentralized and scarce assets like gold, silver, and BTC (Bitcoin) to hedge against an inevitable market correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kiyosaki believes that the rapid accumulation of US national debt, combined with aggressive central bank policies, will eventually trigger a severe economic downturn and erode the value of fiat currency.
Why are central banks buying gold instead of US Treasuries?
Central banks are diversifying their reserves to mitigate risks associated with the US dollar and rising government debt, making gold a more attractive, politically neutral reserve asset.
Which assets does Kiyosaki recommend?
He consistently recommends hard, scarce assets such as gold, silver, and Bitcoin (BTC) as hedges against inflation and financial instability.
