Trump’s Teleprompter Operator Suspended Over Alleged Insider Trading
U.S. President Donald Trump’s longtime teleprompter operator has been placed on unpaid leave after federal regulators investigated allegations that he used inside knowledge to profit from bets on the president’s public speeches.
Alleged Insider Trading on Kalshi
The operator, identified in reports as Gabriel Perez—though the White House has not officially named him—was allegedly involved in suspicious activity on Kalshi’s “Mentions” market, where users bet on specific phrases or words Trump might use in public addresses. According to ABC News, which cited multiple unnamed sources, Perez used his access to Trump’s speech scripts to place bets that yielded more than $100,000 in profits. Most of the funds were frozen by Kalshi after the trades were flagged as suspicious.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which has regulatory authority over such activities. Kalshi’s policies prohibit betting based on job-related information, and the platform recently introduced a requirement for users to disclose their employment details.
White House Response and Ethical Concerns
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the situation as “unfortunate” and “a disgrace,” emphasizing that the administration maintains extremely strict ethical guidelines
on such matters. She confirmed that the operator is on unpaid leave but did not provide further details about the investigation. Leavitt also reiterated the White House’s stance that Trump is abiding by all conflict-of-interest laws that are applicable to the president.
The case has intensified scrutiny of how administration officials might leverage their positions for personal financial gain. While the White House has not directly linked the suspended operator to broader ethical violations, the incident underscores the risks of insider access in high-stakes political environments.
Regulatory and Market Implications
The case highlights the growing regulatory focus on prediction markets, which have become a contentious arena for insider trading accusations. Kalshi’s decision to freeze the operator’s profits and cooperate with federal authorities reflects the platform’s efforts to align with legal standards. However, the incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of self-regulation in such spaces.
For investors, the case serves as a reminder of the risks associated with market manipulation, even in platforms like Kalshi that claim to operate within legal boundaries. While the operator’s alleged actions are under investigation, the broader implications for political and financial transparency remain unresolved.
Context of Trump’s Business Practices
The suspension occurs amid ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s personal and family business dealings. Recent disclosures revealed that Trump earned $1.2 billion from his crypto ventures in 2025, including profits from businesses like World Liberty Financial and CIC Digital LLC, which sold governance tokens
and “meme” coins. These ventures have faced sharp declines in value, yet Trump has continued to benefit from merchandise and event revenue at his properties.
The White House has consistently defended Trump’s business practices, with Leavitt dismissing claims of presidential profiteering as “absurd.” However, the teleprompter operator case adds another layer of complexity to the administration’s efforts to balance political duties with ethical oversight.
Worth a look
- BOC Warns Public Over Customs-Held Parcel Scams Targeting Filipinos
- Burnham Faces Lords’ Opposition to Nationalization Plan
- What Is a 'Blue Slip'? The Senate Custom Trump Wants Gone (daybreakwire.com)
- Washington Election Officials Push Back Against Trump’s Claims of China Compromising Voter Data (news-usa.today)
