CFTC probes teleprompter operator over $100K in bets on Trump speech content

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is investigating Gabriel Perez, President Trump's longtime teleprompter operator, for potential insider trading after he allegedly made more than $100,000 betting on what Trump would say in speeches, according to multiple sources.

Perez, a White House technical assistant who has run Trump's teleprompter since 2016, placed bets on the prediction market Kalshi, the sources told ABC News and Raw Story. His access to the final speech text before delivery gave him a unique informational advantage, investigators believe.

Raw StoryTrump's teleprompter operator pocketed $100K betting on his speeches: report

"The man who loads President Donald Trump's words into the teleprompter has been quietly betting on which of those words the president would actually say, and winning big."

Raw Story reported that Perez's wagers covered more than a dozen addresses over three months, including February's State of the Union, a January speech in Davos, and a March Medal of Honor ceremony.

"The federal agency that regulates prediction markets is investigating President Donald Trump’s longtime teleprompter operator for potential insider trading."

KIONTrump’s teleprompter operator under investigation for insider trading, sources say

The CFTC flagged Perez's trades on Kalshi for possible insider activity, according to CNN's reporting carried by KION and KTVZ. Whatfinger and ABC7 also reported the investigation, noting that Perez's betting profits exceeded $100,000 through his knowledge of speech content before the public heard it.

3 sources

ABC7White House teleprompter operator made more than $100K betting on Trump's speeches: SourcesKTVZTrump’s teleprompter operator under investigation for insider trading, sources sayWhatfingerTrump Teleprompter Operator Allegedly Won Over $100K Betting on His Speeches