Former White House Teleprompter Fined for Profiting Off Trump’s Corrupt Administration
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The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has penalized ex-teleprompter Gabriel Perez for exploiting insider access to Trump’s speeches for personal gain, underscoring the ethical rot and lack of oversight in the previous administration.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) fined former White House teleprompter operator Gabriel Perez $172,000 after determining he used confidential information from his job to place wagers on the Kalshi prediction market. Perez, who worked under President Donald Trump, profited $107,539 by betting on specific words or phrases Trump might use in speeches between December and February, taking advantage of his advance access to speech texts—a glaring example of how Trump’s inner circle abused their positions for personal enrichment.
"Perez exploited material, nonpublic information that he gathered through his work for the president for his personal benefit," the CFTC said in a news release, highlighting the kind of self-serving behavior that became all too common during the Trump era.
In addition to surrendering his ill-gotten gains, Perez was assessed a $65,000 civil penalty, a reduced amount due to his cooperation—yet another instance of leniency for those connected to power. He also agreed to a cease-and-desist order and received a three-year ban on trading in regulated markets.
Perez left the White House in early March after being placed on unpaid leave amid the investigation. The White House press secretary at the time called the allegations "deeply unfortunate and, frankly, a disgrace," but the agency did not specify whether he resigned or was terminated—reflecting the lack of transparency that plagued the administration.
This case shines a light on the urgent need for stricter oversight of online prediction markets, which have become a playground for political insiders and opportunists. Recent prosecutions have included a U.S. soldier betting on a foreign leader’s removal and political candidates wagering on their own elections. Yet, President Trump has publicly defended the industry, insisting on minimal regulation and CFTC oversight—prioritizing profit over public trust.
The CFTC thanked Kalshi for its assistance in the investigation, but the episode stands as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the need for robust regulation to protect the public interest.