A former White House teleprompter operator has been ordered to pay over $172,000 in penalties and disgorgement for illegally trading on nonpublic information related to President Donald Trump’s speeches. Gabriel Perez, who worked at the White House, has settled with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over allegations that he exploited advance access to presidential remarks to profit on a prediction market platform.

Under the terms of the settlement, Perez is required to repay $107,539.02 in illicit profits and pay a $65,000 civil penalty. Furthermore, he has agreed to a three-year ban from trading and must cease and desist from any future violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations. The CFTC’s investigation revealed that Perez engaged in trading on Kalshi, a platform offering event contracts based on specific words or phrases appearing in presidential speeches, between December 2025 and February 2026.

Perez’s access to presidential speeches before their public delivery provided him with material, nonpublic information, which he then leveraged for personal financial gain. The CFTC noted that the significant civil penalty was reduced due to Perez’s exemplary cooperation throughout the investigation. The prediction market platform, KalshiEX, also received credit for its assistance in the matter. Perez is no longer employed by the federal government and was previously placed on unpaid leave.

Key Takeaways

• Former White House aide Gabriel Perez fined $172,539 for insider trading.
• Perez used advance access to President Trump's speeches to trade on a prediction market.
• The settlement includes a trading ban and requires repayment of illicit profits.

Editor’s Analysis & Impact

This case highlights the significant risks associated with handling sensitive, nonpublic information, even within the highest levels of government. The CFTC’s swift action and substantial penalty underscore the agency’s commitment to policing market integrity. The involvement of a prediction market platform like Kalshi also brings attention to the evolving landscape of financial instruments and the regulatory challenges they present. This incident serves as a stark warning to individuals in positions of trust about the severe consequences of leveraging insider knowledge for personal gain, potentially impacting future employment and financial standing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What specific platform was used for the illegal trades?
A: The illegal trades were conducted on Kalshi, a prediction market platform that offers event contracts based on specific outcomes, such as the use of certain words or phrases in speeches.

Q: What was the basis for the CFTC's fine against Gabriel Perez?
A: The CFTC fined Gabriel Perez for using material, nonpublic information—specifically, advance access to President Donald Trump's speeches—to make illegal trades on a prediction market platform for his personal benefit.

Q: Did Gabriel Perez cooperate with the investigation?
A: Yes, the CFTC stated that Gabriel Perez provided exemplary cooperation with the investigation, which resulted in a substantial discount on his civil penalty.