Trump Teleprompter Operator Under Probe After Profiting Over $100K From Prediction Bets: Report
Trump Teleprompter Operator Under Probe After Profiting Over $100K From Prediction Bets: Report Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 21:51 IST The alleged trades
Trump Teleprompter Operator Under Probe After Profiting Over $100K From Prediction Bets: Report Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 21:51 IST The alleged trades were placed on Kalshi, a platform that allows users to make predictions on various events, including speech mentions. US President Donald Trump does his little dance after giving a speech in Florida. (AFP file photo) US federal regulators are investigating Gabriel Perez, President Donald Trump’s longtime teleprompter operator, over allegations that he used advance knowledge of Trump’s speeches to place bets on a prediction market platform, according to a report. Perez is accused of making more than $100,000 through bets on whether Trump would mention specific words, phrases or topics during his public speeches. The alleged trades were placed on Kalshi, a platform that allows users to make predictions on various events, including speech mentions. According to sources familiar with the matter, cited by ABC News, Perez placed bets on more than a dozen Trump speeches over a three-month period, including the President’s State of the Union address, a December prime-time speech, his remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and a Medal of Honor ceremony in March.
Kalshi Flagged Suspicious Activity According to report, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) began looking into the matter after Kalshi’s surveillance team flagged what it considered suspicious activity on its “Mentions" market, where users can bet on whether certain words or topics will appear in a public speech. Kalshi said it reported the activity to the regulator and is cooperating with the investigation. The company’s lead lawyer, Bobby DeNault, said the platform’s monitoring system identified the trades and referred them to the CFTC. Perez, who has operated Trump’s teleprompter since 2016 and continues to serve in the role, is reportedly in settlement talks with federal regulators. The discussions could require him to return the money earned from the trades and agree not to make similar transactions in the future. The White House told ABC that Perez is “fully cooperating" with the investigation. “The White House has strict ethics guidelines that we expect all staffers and officials to follow," it added.
News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What are the potential consequences for Gabriel Perez? US federal regulators are investigating Gabriel Perez, President Donald Trump’s teleprompter operator, for allegedly using advance knowledge of Trump's speeches to profit over $100,000 on prediction bets placed on Kalshi. Could this incident impact future prediction market regulations? This incident could impact future prediction market regulations, as federal regulators are investigating alleged insider trading on platforms like Kalshi. How will the White House prevent similar issues going forward? The White House has warned staff against using confidential information for trading and event betting through internal advisories and emails, particularly concerning prediction markets. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.
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