The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission ordered former White House teleprompter operator Gabriel Perez to pay $172,539 on Friday after accusing him of illegal trading on a prediction market platform using advance access to President Donald Trump’s speech content. Under a settlement with the CFTC, Perez must disgorge $107,539.02 in illicit profits and pay a $65,000 civil monetary penalty. He also agreed to a three-year trading ban and committed to cease and refrain from future violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations. According to the agency, Perez traded Trump “mention markets” contracts on Kalshi while working at the White House between December 2025 and February 2026. The event contracts paid out based on whether the president used specific words or phrases in speeches.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Friday ordered former White House teleprompter operator Gabriel Perez to pay $172,539 after finding that he illegally traded on a prediction market platform using advance access to Donald Trump’s speech content.
Under a settlement with the CFTC, Perez must disgorge $107,539.02 in illicit profits and pay a $65,000 civil monetary penalty. He also agreed to a three-year trading ban and said he would cease and refrain from violating the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC rules.
Trades took place on Kalshi during White House tenure
The CFTC said Perez traded Trump “mention markets” contracts on Kalshi while serving at the White House from December 2025 to February 2026.
Those contracts are event contracts that pay out based on whether the president uses specific words or phrases in a speech.
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