Core inflation unexpectedly came in below economists' expectations

True

Evidence from credible sources supports the statement as accurate. Learn more in Methodology.

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Verify that the most recent core CPI (or comparable core inflation measure cited) was lower than economists' consensus forecasts in the referenced report and that commentary from Bloomberg characterizes it as signaling cooling price growth.

Source summary
The White House cites new BLS data showing core inflation came in below economists' expectations and says inflation is under control while real wages are rising. The administration attributes lower inflation and faster wage growth to President Trump’s policies, noting headline and core inflation running at 2.4% and projected real private-sector weekly earnings up about 4% (roughly $1,100) in his first full year. Bloomberg is quoted as describing the lower core inflation as a sign of cooling price growth and noting vehicle prices have declined.
Latest fact check

Bureau of Labor Statistics data for December 2025 show that core CPI (all items less food and energy) rose 0.2% month‑over‑month and 2.6% year‑over‑year. Multiple outlets reporting economist surveys (e.g., CNN using FactSet estimates) noted expectations of a 0.3% monthly core increase and 2.7% annual rate, so the actual core inflation print was below consensus forecasts. The Bloomberg-syndicated article on the December CPI explicitly describes the weaker‑than‑expected core reading as “a more confident signal of cooling price growth” and “a more convincing sign that inflation is on a downward path,” reflecting a modest but real deceleration in core inflation versus prior months. Given that the data did undershoot expectations and that reputable economic commentary characterized it as evidence of a cooling inflation trend, the statement is accurate as framed. Verdict: True, because core inflation was indeed below economists’ expectations and mainstream economic analysis, including Bloomberg’s, interpreted this as a convincing sign that inflation is continuing to move downward.

Timeline

  1. Update · Jan 13, 2026, 11:08 PMTrue
    Bureau of Labor Statistics data for December 2025 show that core CPI (all items less food and energy) rose 0.2% month‑over‑month and 2.6% year‑over‑year. Multiple outlets reporting economist surveys (e.g., CNN using FactSet estimates) noted expectations of a 0.3% monthly core increase and 2.7% annual rate, so the actual core inflation print was below consensus forecasts. The Bloomberg-syndicated article on the December CPI explicitly describes the weaker‑than‑expected core reading as “a more confident signal of cooling price growth” and “a more convincing sign that inflation is on a downward path,” reflecting a modest but real deceleration in core inflation versus prior months. Given that the data did undershoot expectations and that reputable economic commentary characterized it as evidence of a cooling inflation trend, the statement is accurate as framed. Verdict: True, because core inflation was indeed below economists’ expectations and mainstream economic analysis, including Bloomberg’s, interpreted this as a convincing sign that inflation is continuing to move downward.
  2. Original article · Jan 13, 2026

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