In a nationally televised address on December 17, 2025, President Donald Trump asserted a thriving U.S. economy with rising investments and lower prices. CNN’s Harry Enten, known as the network’s data guru and chief data analyst, led a data-driven fact-check that challenged those claims with receipts from official data.
Enten cited observable data points to counter the president’s rhetoric: inflation around 3% as of September, unemployment rising to 4.6% in November (the highest since 2021), and public polling showing a net negative view of the economy. The segment framed the economy as not fully aligned with the most optimistic rhetoric, even as some indicators showed progress in certain sectors.
Taken together, the analysis underscored the importance of grounding political claims about inflation, wages, and jobs in current numbers, helping viewers gauge the real state of the economy rather than relying on generalized statements.
Why this matters: For viewers, this is an evidence-based check on political claims, offering a clearer view of inflation trends, employment conditions, and consumer sentiment. The coverage, part of CNN’s national broadcast, positions data as a check on rhetoric in a fast-moving political moment.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you make a purchase through the ads.