From a trillion per year.
Even the hated GWB didn't add a cool trillion per year to the Debt during his "awful" Presidency.
Your friend is a stupe.
Even if the deficit decreases to one hundred dollars a year there is still a deficit so how could he believe that the annual deficit and the debt are both decreasing at the same time? You have to have an annual operating surplus before the total debt can decrease. As long as an annual deficit exists the total debt is increasing no matter whether the deficit is increasing or decreasing unless somehow part of the debt is forgiven or paid by a third party.