New U.S. inflation data released Thursday, Dec. 18, showed consumer prices rising less than expected on an annual basis, lending support to President Donald Trump’s claims about the state of the economy. Prices eased compared to earlier in the year, even as food costs remained elevated and gaps in government data left parts of the inflation picture unclear. Opposition Democrats argue broader cost-of-living pressures continue to weigh on households, while the Federal Reserve points to tariffs as a key driver of lingering price increases. As the political debate sharpens ahead of new economic data releases, both parties are making their case to voters. Owen Fairclough reports from Washington.