White House Teleprompter Operator Accused of Inside Betting No Longer Employed

Gabriel Perez, a White House teleprompter operator, is no longer employed by the federal government following accusations that he used inside knowledge to place bets on the online prediction market Kalshi. A White House official confirmed on Tuesday that Perez "no longer works in the federal government." The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity and was not authorized to comment publicly on the personnel matter, did not specify whether Perez resigned or was terminated from his position. The allegations surfaced regarding Perez's alleged use of information gained from his role to make wagers on Kalshi, a platform where users can bet on the outcomes of future events. Specifically, reports indicated that these bets pertained to Donald Trump's speeches. The nature of the alleged bets and the specific information Perez may have possessed remain unclear, as does the exact timeframe of his employment and departure. Kalshi operates as a marketplace for event contracts, allowing individuals to speculate on political outcomes, economic indicators, and other future events. The platform's terms of service, like those of similar prediction markets, typically prohibit the use of material non-public information for trading. The White House has not released further details regarding the investigation or the disciplinary actions taken against Perez. The incident raises questions about the security protocols and ethical guidelines in place for individuals with access to sensitive information within the executive branch. The White House has not publicly identified any other individuals involved in similar activities or announced any broader policy changes in response to this case. The official statement confirming Perez's departure marks the extent of the public information released by the administration on the matter. The case highlights the potential for misuse of insider information, even in roles not traditionally considered high-security, and the challenges in monitoring such activities on external platforms. The investigation into Perez's actions appears to have concluded with his departure from federal service, according to the White House official. No further details regarding the specific bets placed, their outcomes, or any financial implications have been disclosed. The focus of the White House's public statement remains solely on the confirmation of Perez's employment status.