Trump Teleprompter Operator Fined $172K After Dominating Kalshi Bets

CFTC Details How Perez Used Early Access to Trump’s Speeches

Bitcoin.com News reported on the accusations against Gabriel Perez on July 16, 2026, when it was said that the White House teleprompter operator was under federal investigation. He was accused of leveraging insider information by betting on specific remarks Trump made during speeches. Authorities said that Perez netted around $100,000 from these wagers. On Aug. 28, the CFTC published a press release on the matter.

“The order finds that between December 2025 and February 2026, while working as a teleprompter operator for the White House, Perez traded presidential mention market contracts, which are event contracts reflecting words or phrases the President may use during his speeches,” the CFTC disclosed on Friday. The regulator added:

“In his position, Perez had access to presidential speeches prior to those speeches being delivered and Perez misappropriated that information—in breach of his duty of trust and confidence.”

Perez Wins 39 of 43 Kalshi Contracts, Gets Hit With $172K Bill

Perez showcased a high win rate by winning in 39 of 43 contracts hosted on the prediction marketplace Kalshi, and he bought the corresponding contracts before the market priced the information and outcomes. The CFTC order says Perez “must disgorge the profits he made” and pay $107,539.02. Alongside this, he’s also forced to pay a $65,000 civil monetary penalty, and it comes with a discount. According to the CFTC, because of Perez’s “exemplary cooperation with the CFTC,” he received the reduction.

“Perez agreed to cease and desist from further violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations. Under the order, a three-year trading ban is imposed on Perez,” the regulator added.

Prediction Market Boom Collides With High-Profile Insider Cases

The White House teleprompter operator case comes at a time when prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi have seen massive popularity and demand. The Perez case and settlement also follow the charges against the commando known as Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke, who was accused of betting on the removal of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The case is still open, and unlike Perez, there is no settlement. He put in a “not guilty” plea on April 28, 2026, and he was released on bail. Van Dyke’s passport was surrendered, and his travel is limited to specific parts of North Carolina, New York, and California.

Van Dyke’s and Perez’s cases have been two of the most high-profile insider trading lawsuits stemming from prediction marketplace platforms to date.