**Ex-White House Teleprompter Operator Fined $172,000 for Betting on Trump Speeches**
A former teleprompter operator for the White House, Gabriel Perez, has been ordered to pay over $172,000 following a ruling by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The penalty stems from his use of insider information to place bets on the content of speeches delivered by former President Donald Trump.
Between December 2025 and February 2026, Perez reportedly made significant profits by betting on specific phrases and terms that Trump would use during his addresses. These bets were placed on Kalshi, a prediction markets platform that allows users to wager on various real-world events. The CFTC's investigation revealed that Perez had "misappropriated" his knowledge of the speeches, violating his duty of trust and confidence as a federal employee.
As part of the settlement announced on Friday, Perez is required to forfeit $107,539.02 in profits and pay a civil penalty of $65,000. Additionally, he has been banned from trading on prediction markets for a period of three years. The CFTC noted that the civil penalty was reduced due to Perez's "exemplary co-operation" during the investigation.
Kalshi's lead lawyer, Bobby DeNault, expressed approval of the CFTC's decision, emphasizing that all users, regardless of their position, must adhere to the platform's rules and federal laws. The company had previously detected unusual betting patterns related to "mention markets," where users predict whether specific terms would be used by speakers. Upon discovering that the bettor was a federal employee associated with the White House, Kalshi reported the findings to the CFTC.
The White House has not issued an official comment regarding Perez's case. However, in July, then-press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Perez was on unpaid leave and would not return to his position. In a letter sent to aides, the White House Management Office had previously instructed staff not to engage in betting on prediction markets, highlighting the potential risks and ethical concerns associated with such activities.
The implications of Perez's actions extend beyond personal consequences, as the CFTC highlighted the significant impact that statements from political leaders can have on financial markets, including currency exchanges and stock prices. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining integrity and ethical standards in public service roles, particularly when it comes to sensitive information and its potential misuse.
As the investigation concluded, the CFTC's actions reaffirm the regulatory body's commitment to enforcing compliance within the trading community and ensuring that all participants operate under the same rules. The case has drawn attention to the intersection of politics and financial markets, raising questions about the responsibilities of public officials and the potential for conflicts of interest in their roles.