White House suspends teleprompter operator accused of placing bets on speeches: ‘Disgrace’
White House suspends teleprompter operator
Betting Allegations Lead to Administrative Leave
White House suspends teleprompter operator accused - The White House suspends teleprompter operator Gabriel Perez following allegations that he placed bets on President Donald Trump's public speeches. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, announced the development during a Thursday press briefing at the executive residence. According to Leavitt, the staff member has been placed on administrative leave while cooperating with federal regulators investigating the matter.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, known as the CFTC, is leading the inquiry into whether Perez used confidential information about the president's upcoming addresses to make wagering decisions. "The individual that was cited in that report is complying with the CFTC and has been placed on administrative leave," Leavitt explained to reporters. The White House has confirmed that President Trump has been briefed on the situation and is aware of the ongoing investigation.
Kalshi Platform Reports Suspicious Trading Activity
The controversy emerged after prediction market platform Kalshi publicly disclosed unusual trading patterns connected to Trump's speeches. Robert DeNault, Kalshi's head of enforcement and legal counsel, stated that the company's surveillance systems quickly identified the questionable transactions. "The Kalshi surveillance team promptly flagged, investigated and referred these trades to the CFTC," DeNault wrote in a social media statement. The platform subsequently brought these suspicious transactions to the attention of federal regulators, linking them to the teleprompter operator at the center of the controversy.
DeNault further clarified the company's ongoing cooperation with government authorities. "We have been assisting regulators on this matter and provided all evidence that we collected, as we do with any referral," he continued. This transparency from Kalshi has helped strengthen the case against Perez and demonstrates the platform's commitment to maintaining market integrity.
President Trump Calls Incident a 'Disgrace'
When asked about the president's reaction to the news, Leavitt conveyed that Trump views the matter seriously. "He believes it is deeply unfortunate and, frankly, a disgrace," she reported, summarizing the president's perspective on the allegations involving one of his longtime staff members. Perez was originally brought onto Trump's team in 2016 and has worked closely with the president throughout his political career.
In light of the suspension, arrangements have been made for an alternative teleprompter operator to manage the president's scheduled primetime address to the nation, which is set to take place later on Thursday. The administrative leave allows the investigation to proceed while the employee remains in good standing pending the outcome of the regulatory proceedings.
According to initial reporting by ABC News, Perez is reportedly engaged in settlement negotiations with the CFTC regarding the allegations. The timing of the announcement came shortly after Kalshi publicly disclosed the unusual trading activity, creating a coordinated response between the prediction market and federal regulators.
Prediction markets have grown increasingly popular in recent years, allowing participants to wager on various outcomes including political events. The White House suspends teleprompter operator in this case as a precautionary measure while ensuring the investigation remains thorough and transparent. Kalshi's role in identifying and reporting the suspicious trades highlights the platform's commitment to maintaining market integrity and complying with federal regulations governing such activities.