President Trump directed unpaid administrative leave for teleprompter operator Gabriel Perez after reports that Perez won over $100,000 betting on speech content via Kalshi. Perez is cooperating with the CFTC, no other staff are under investigation, and White House counsel was unaware of the bets. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the matter on July 16, 2026.
“WATCH: Trump believes his Kalshi-betting teleprompter operator is a 'disgrace,' Leavitt says”
Read at PBS NewsHour →“White House suspends teleprompter operator accused of placing bets on speeches: ‘Disgrace’”
Read at The Hill →No right-leaning sources covered this
Trump's personal decision to place Perez on leave reflects pettiness and authoritarian enforcement of loyalty over systemic accountability issues.
“Individual punishment distracts from broader conflicts of interest.”
Trump acted decisively to enforce integrity after Perez profited from access to official events.
“Swift accountability prevents insider dealing by federal employees.”
Perez's profits illustrate prediction markets' information value, while the leave reflects standard at-will employment.
“CFTC involvement represents regulatory overreach into private activity.”
All views assume speech content was secret rather than patterned and overlook the lack of any betting policy.
“Shared premise ignores recurring incentives created by markets on official proceedings.”
Ratings by MBFC