The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis said on Monday that it has canceled the release of its advance estimate of third-quarter GDP .

The department said the release was being canceled due to disruption caused by the federal government shutdown, but the announcement has sparked criticism and speculation that the report is being held because of disappointing data.

Newsweek contacted the White House and the BEA via email on Tuesday outside of regular working hours.

Why It Matters

The GDP report becomes the latest government data to be delayed because of the lingering impacts of the federal government shutdown, following other missed releases such as the October jobs report.

The data delays are fueling speculation about the true state of the economy, at a time when President Donald Trum

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