White House Teleprompter Operator Investigated for Allegedly Profiting from Inside Information on Trump Speeches
L'essentiel
- A White House teleprompter operator, Gabriel Perez, is under investigation for allegedly using inside information to make nearly $100,000 on a prediction market platform by betting on words President Trump would use in speeches.
- His account was frozen, and he is now on unpaid leave from the White House.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
Gabriel Perez, a White House teleprompter operator since 2016, is accused of using inside information to place bets on words President Trump would use during major public addresses on the prediction market platform Kalshi. Kalshi froze his account and reported the activity to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
A White House teleprompter operator is being investigated over allegedly using inside information to place bets and make nearly $100,000 on US President Donald Trump's speeches.
Gabriel Perez, who had worked at the White House since 2016, is accused of placing bets on words the president would use during major public addresses, including the State of the Union speech.
The trades were made on Kalshi, a prediction markets platform where users can bet on real-world events. The firm confirmed it reported the activity to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which regulates the platform.
Kalshi froze Perez's account before any profits could be withdrawn, according to reports.
The platform told the BBC its analysts noticed unusual betting on "mention markets" - contracts where users predict whether a speaker will use common terms, such as specific countries, economic words, or campaign slogans, in March.
"The words of political leaders like Presidents and Fed chairs cause billions of dollars of movement in FX markets, oil futures, [and] the stock market," Kalshi said.
Using account data, the company found the user was a federal employee operating White House teleprompters.
The exchange froze more than $90,000 before it could be withdrawn.
Robert DeNault, Kalshi's head of enforcement, said the firm flagged the trades and had handed evidence to regulators.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump was aware of the teleprompter operator and that staffer was now on unpaid leave, before adding Perez would no longer work at the White House.
The story, first reported by ABC News, has been confirmed by the BBC's US partner, CBS News.
Sources said Perez has been "fully cooperative" with the CFTC.
ABC said federal prosecutors in Manhattan declined to open a criminal case.
When contacted by the BBC to confirm it was investigating, the CFTC said it could not "confirm or deny" any probe.
À surveiller
Perspective IA — des possibilités, pas des certitudes
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will continue its investigation into Gabriel Perez's alleged betting activity.
Très probable · En quelques mois
Questions ouvertes
- What specific inside information was allegedly used?
- What will be the final outcome of the CFTC probe?
- Will Kalshi implement new safeguards?
