Former White House teleprompter operator must turn over more than $100,000 in profits and pay a $65,000 fine in insider trading settlement

A former White House teleprompter operator, Gabriel Perez, has been ordered to surrender over $100,000 in profits and pay a $65,000 fine as a result of a settlement with federal authorities. The agreement, announced by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Friday, also imposed a three-year ban on Perez from engaging in trading activities.

Perez was previously on unpaid leave from his position at the White House following reports that he utilized his insider knowledge to place bets on the prediction market Kalshi. The White House has not yet commented on the settlement. In July, a White House official reported that Perez had been relieved of his duties, but did not specify whether he had been fired or resigned.

The commission concluded that Perez had earned $107,500 from prediction markets by wagering on phrases that were to be included in President Donald Trump's speeches between December 2025 and February 2026. According to a press release from the commission, Perez breached his duty of trust and confidence by exploiting the information he had access to due to his position.

Perez was required to repay his entire earnings alongside the $65,000 civil penalty, which was reduced due to his "exemplary cooperation." Reports about the case surfaced on July 16, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt describing the situation as "unfortunate" and "a disgrace." This story was originally reported by Fortune.com.