US economic growth likely accelerated in the third quarter as resilient consumer spending ?and ?AI-driven business investment more than offset the impact of higher oil ?prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. The anticipated strength would stand in stark contrast to households' downbeat assessment of the economy, reflected in ?President Donald Trump's record-low approval ratings and a sharp deterioration in consumer sentiment. The Commerce Department will publish its advance estimate of third-quarter gross domestic product on Thursday, less than a week before Tuesday's midterm elections, which will determine ?control of Congress.