Gabriel Perez, the teleprompter operator for President Donald Trump, has been placed on unpaid leave following an internal review of his financial activities. The investigation centers on his use of presidential speech data to generate profits on the prediction platform Kalshi.
Over a three-month period, Perez engaged in trading activities related to more than twelve presidential addresses. He wagered on whether specific words and phrases would appear during public appearances. By adjusting his positions in real-time during the broadcasts, he utilized information accessible through his job role.
The total value of his winnings exceeded $100,000.
White House Response and Resolution
Security personnel at Kalshi flagged the unusual trading patterns for review. White House officials determined that the actions violated ethical standards regarding the use of non-public information. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump described the situation as "disgraceful."
Negotiations regarding a settlement are currently underway. Preliminary reports indicate that Perez may be required to return the full amount of his earnings. The agreement would also prohibit him from engaging in similar transactions in the future.