White House Suspends Staffer Over Alleged Betting on Trump Speeches

WHO:

Deadline - Gabriel Perez, a teleprompter operator for Trump since 2016, is involved in the investigation.

NBC News - The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is investigating the case.

WHAT:

CBS News - The teleprompter operator allegedly made nearly $100,000 betting on Trump speeches.

Fox News - The White House condemned the staffer's actions as a "disgrace."

Deadline - The teleprompter operator has been placed on leave following the allegations.

WHERE:

NBC News - The investigation involves the prediction market Kalshi, where the betting allegedly took place.

WHEN:

Deadline - The teleprompter operator is reportedly in discussions with the CFTC about a settlement.

WHY:

CBS News - Suspicious activity on the teleprompter operator's account led to an investigation by Kalshi, which referred the case to federal regulators.

HOW:

Fox News - The teleprompter operator allegedly used Kalshi to place bets on Trump's speeches multiple times.

(UPDATED July 16, 2026 20:16 UTC)

An investigation is underway involving Gabriel Perez, a teleprompter operator for Trump since 2016, who allegedly made nearly $100,000 betting on Trump's speeches through the prediction market Kalshi. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is looking into the case after suspicious activity on Perez's account prompted Kalshi to refer it to federal regulators, and he has since been placed on leave as the White House condemned his actions as a "disgrace." Perez is reportedly in discussions with the CFTC about a settlement regarding the allegations.