White House Teleprompter Operator Loses Job Over Trump Betting 2026

A White House teleprompter operator who used inside knowledge to bet on Donald Trump’s speeches has lost his job, according to White House officials. Gabriel Perez, who operated Trump’s teleprompter since 2016, was placed on unpaid leave after ABC News revealed he made over $100,000 betting on phrases and words the president would use during major addresses, including the State of the Union. The White House confirmed that Perez now “no longer works in the federal government,” though it remains unclear whether he resigned or was fired.

How Insider Trading on Prediction Markets Works

Prediction markets like Kalshi allow users to place speculative bets on a wide range of public events and trends. In Kalshi’s “Mentions” market, traders can wager on specific words or phrases that might appear in a public speech. Perez reportedly exploited his early access to Trump’s speech scripts to make winning bets. The platform prohibits using job-related information for trading, and Kalshi’s surveillance team flagged the suspicious activity before referring the case to the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Comparison: Federal Insider Trading vs. Prediction Market Rules

While Perez’s case involves a relatively new arena — prediction markets — it highlights how traditional insider trading principles apply even to non-securities wagers. The CFTC has authority over these markets, and Kalshi’s policy explicitly bans trading based on non-public information gained through employment.

Key Takeaways from the White House Teleprompter Betting Scandal

• Insider information in prediction markets is illegal and can lead to job loss and regulatory action.
• Kalshi proactively monitors trades and reports suspicious activity to authorities.
• Federal employees face severe consequences for using confidential data for personal gain, even in non-traditional financial markets.
• Prediction market trading volumes have exploded, increasing scrutiny on ethical boundaries.
• White House officials described the behavior as “deeply unfortunate and a disgrace.”

Implications for Federal Employment Ethics

This incident serves as a stark reminder that federal employees must adhere to strict ethical rules, regardless of the platform or market. The White House press secretary called it “deeply unfortunate and, frankly, a disgrace.” The case also underscores the growing regulatory attention on prediction markets. As platforms like Kalshi gain mainstream users, regulators are likely to tighten rules around insider trading.

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