If we look back at there are four events that preceded Debt/GDP really taking off.

1. The Regan Tax cuts in 81 (in 1980 Debt to GDP was 30%).
2. The Bush Tax Cuts/02 recession (Debt/GDP had been falling before that).
3. 2008 financial and 4. Trump tax cuts.

Three of these 4 events are all spending cuts (with 2002 being a combination of tax cuts and recession).