Investigation Launched into White House Teleprompter Operator's Betting Activities

A teleprompter operator at the White House is under investigation for allegedly using insider information to bet on President Trump's speeches, reportedly making nearly $100,000. Gabriel Perez's activities were flagged by Kalshi, a prediction market platform, which alerted regulators. The White House has placed him on unpaid leave as the inquiry unfolds. This incident raises significant ethical questions about insider trading and the integrity of public office. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 17, 2026, 10:53 IST

Allegations of Insider Betting

A teleprompter operator at the White House is currently facing scrutiny for allegedly leveraging confidential information to place bets on the speeches of US President Donald Trump, reportedly earning close to $100,000 in the process. Gabriel Perez, who has been employed at the White House since 2016, is said to have wagered on specific words Trump would use during significant public addresses, including the State of the Union.

The bets were made on Kalshi, a platform for prediction markets where users can bet on actual events. The company has confirmed that it alerted the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regarding the suspicious activities. Reports indicate that Kalshi suspended Perez's account to prevent any withdrawal of the alleged profits.

Kalshi stated that its analysts detected unusual betting patterns in March related to 'mention markets'—contracts where users predict whether certain words or phrases will be spoken by a speaker, including country names and economic terms. The platform noted that the words of political figures can significantly influence financial markets.

Using account details, Kalshi identified the user as a federal employee responsible for operating teleprompters at the White House. The company managed to freeze over $90,000 before any funds could be accessed. Robert DeNault, head of enforcement at Kalshi, mentioned that the company had flagged the suspicious trades and provided evidence to regulators.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump has been made aware of the situation. She stated that the teleprompter operator has been placed on unpaid leave and will no longer be employed at the White House. This incident was initially reported by ABC News and later corroborated by CBS News.

Sources indicate that Gabriel Perez has been fully cooperative with the CFTC during the investigation. However, federal prosecutors in Manhattan have reportedly chosen not to pursue a criminal case. When approached for comment, the CFTC stated it could neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation.