White House teleprompter operator suspended over $100,000 Kalshi betting scandal
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is seeking a settlement with the former aide, who allegedly used access to final speech drafts to profit on the prediction market platform.
Gabriel Perez, the teleprompter operator for President Donald Trump, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave following an investigation into his betting activities on the Kalshi platform. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which oversees the prediction market, is seeking to settle with Perez after it was revealed he allegedly won more than $100,000 by wagering on the duration of presidential speeches.
Perez reportedly utilised his role, which involves having the final eyes on nearly all of the president's prepared remarks, to inform his bets. The CFTC stated that Perez placed wagers on the length of several key addresses, including the State of the Union, a speech at the World Economic Forum in January, and remarks at a Medal of Honor ceremony in March.
The investigation was triggered when Perez reportedly backed out of certain bets after the president went off-script. Kalshi flagged these trades and referred them to the CFTC. According to reports, Perez has confessed to some of the trades during an interview with investigators. The commission is reportedly willing to settle if Perez returns his winnings.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the suspension during a press conference, describing Perez's actions as a disgrace. She stated that the president is aware of the situation and that Perez will no longer be employed by the White House. Leavitt characterised the conduct as deeply unfortunate, marking the end of Perez's tenure in the administration.
This incident highlights the regulatory challenges facing prediction markets, which have faced legal hurdles from state regulators. A US Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that New Jersey had no right to ban Kalshi, affirming the CFTC's exclusive regulatory authority over the platform. In response to such risks, Kalshi introduced stricter policies in April 2026 to prevent politicians and athletes from betting on their own events, followed by further restrictions in June requiring users to disclose their employment.
