A new scandal has erupted in the US President's administration involving the leak of insider information. Donald Trump's teleprompter operator, Gabriel Perez, has come under the scrutiny of federal regulators after earning more than $100,000 by betting on exactly which words the head of state would utter.
Betting on the President's Words
Gabriel Perez, who has been responsible for operating the teleprompter during the President's public appearances since 2016, used his position for personal gain. According to sources, the technical aide knew the exact text of speeches in advance and used this knowledge to place bets on the prediction market Kalshi.
On this platform, users can bet on whether certain words, phrases, or specific topics will be mentioned during public events. Thanks to his access to speech scripts, Perez was able to earn a significant sum, turning his job into a source of gambling income.
Regulators and Platform Response
Kalshi quickly identified suspicious activity in the "Mentions" section. The exchange's leadership immediately notified the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) about the use of insider information.
"Our surveillance team promptly identified these trades and reported the information to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and we are cooperating and assisting regulatory authorities," said Bobby DeNo, head of Kalshi's enforcement division.
Unpaid Leave and Trump's Reaction
Following the report by ABC News, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Gabriel Perez has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. According to Leavitt, she discussed the situation with Donald Trump, who called the incident "disgraceful" and personally decided to suspend the employee.
The White House spokesperson also emphasized that there is currently no information about other administration staff committing similar actions. "Strict ethical standards are in place at the White House, which we expect all employees and officials to follow," Leavitt noted in an interview with ABC News.
Consequences for the Administration's Reputation
The scandal involving the teleprompter operator has become another challenge for the White House's reputation. Using official information for personal enrichment undermines trust in the security system and ethics within the administration. The investigation is ongoing, and federal authorities may take additional measures against Perez.
