Key facts
- Gabriel Perez, Donald Trump's teleprompter operator, is under investigation by the CFTC.
- The probe concerns potential insider trading on the prediction market platform Kalshi.
- Kalshi flagged the suspicious trades and is cooperating with the CFTC.
- Perez is cooperating with the investigation.
- The White House confirmed awareness of the operator and stated Perez is no longer employed there.
- Profits exceeding $90,000 were frozen on Kalshi before withdrawal.
U.S. President Donald Trump's teleprompter operator, Gabriel Perez, is reportedly under investigation by federal regulators for potential insider trading on the prediction market platform Kalshi. Two sources familiar with the matter stated that Kalshi's internal surveillance flagged the suspicious trading activity and referred it to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Robert DeNault, head of enforcement at Kalshi, confirmed that the platform's surveillance team promptly flagged and referred the trades to the CFTC, providing evidence collected during its investigation. Perez is cooperating fully with the CFTC, according to one of the sources. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated that the President is aware of the operator and that Perez is now on unpaid leave and will no longer be working at the White House.
The CFTC declined to confirm or deny the investigation. Kalshi's mention markets allow traders to bet on specific words or phrases being said during public events, a type of market that has drawn regulatory scrutiny over concerns of insider trading and manipulation. Kalshi froze the account in question, preventing profits of over $90,000 from being withdrawn. The platform has been taking steps to enhance market integrity, including mandating employment disclosures and launching a whistleblower portal.