Investigation Targets White House Teleprompter Operator for Insider Trading
The CFTC is investigating a White House teleprompter operator for insider trading via Kalshi trades on Trump speeches.
Why it matters: Legal and compliance professionals should note the implications for insider trading laws when trading on nonpublic political information. It highlights risks for corporations and counsel monitoring employee trading activities linked to privileged knowledge.
- Gabriel Perez, a White House teleprompter operator, is under CFTC investigation for allegedly trading on nonpublic info in mid-2026.
- Perez reportedly earned over $100,000 from bets on specific phrases during Trump speeches including the State of the Union address in early 2026.
- Kalshi detected suspicious trades in May 2026 and referred the activity to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
- Perez was placed on unpaid leave by the White House as of July 2026 amid the ongoing investigation.
Federal regulators are investigating Gabriel Perez, a White House teleprompter operator, for allegedly using privileged information about President Trump's speeches to trade on Kalshi, a regulated prediction market platform. The trades occurred in mid-2026, with specific bets placed on phrases expected in speeches such as the 2026 State of the Union address, according to reports from Axios and AP News.
Kalshi's surveillance team flagged irregular trading patterns in May 2026 and promptly notified the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which is leading the investigation. Robert DeNault, Kalshi's head of enforcement, stated, "Our surveillance team promptly flagged and referred these trades to the CFTC after an internal investigation. We have provided evidence and are cooperating fully." Kalshi has developed a compliance framework to monitor for insider trading, having initiated over 200 investigations since its launch.
The White House placed Perez on unpaid leave in July 2026 following the revelations. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized, "The White House maintains strict ethical policies forbidding use of nonpublic information for personal gain."
Legal experts caution that this case raises significant considerations for legal counsel and compliance officers. Trading on nonpublic political speech content can trigger insider trading liability, a concern heightened by increasing use of prediction markets. "This underscores the need for robust employee trading policies and monitoring mechanisms, especially where access to sensitive government information is concerned," said a regulatory compliance consultant not involved in the investigation.
Kalshi's proactive reporting and the CFTC's involvement illustrate regulatory focus on the intersection of political information and market manipulation. While the investigation is ongoing, firms should review their compliance protocols to address risks from employees trading on privileged information related to political events.
By the numbers:
- $100,000 — reported earnings by teleprompter operator Gabriel Perez from suspicious trades
- 200 — insider trading investigations opened by Kalshi since inception
- July 2026 — date when Perez was placed on unpaid leave amid investigation
Yes, but: While Kalshi and its enforcement head provide detailed accounts, independent regulatory experts emphasize cautious interpretation until the CFTC concludes its investigation.
What's next: The CFTC investigation is ongoing with expected developments and possible regulatory guidance on insider trading in prediction markets later in 2026.