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Gabriel Perez to pay $172,000 to settle insider trading allegations regarding President Trump's speeches

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced that Gabriel Perez, a longtime White House teleprompter operator, will pay $172,000 to settle allegations of improper insider trading. Perez used his position to gain nonpublic information about President Trump's speeches to make bets on the Kalshi prediction market. The administration announced that Perez will return over $107,000 in profits and pay a $65,000 civil penalty, while also facing a three-year trading ban. Regulators found that Perez breached his duty of trust and confidence by trading on 'mention markets' between December 2025 and February 2026. He successfully won 39 out of 49 trades, including bets on the State of the Union address and a Medal of Honor ceremony. The commission noted that the penalty was discounted due to Perez's exemplary cooperation. While some critics argue the fine is small for such high-level insider trading, the administration noted that President Trump described the conduct as a disgrace. Perez was placed on unpaid leave during the investigation and remains a key figure who has worked with the president for a decade.

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