President Trump’s teleprompter operator charged with betting on speech
A White House teleprompter operator has been placed on unpaid leave after being accused of making money by betting on President Trump’s speech.
A White House teleprompter operator who made thousands of dollars betting on President Donald Trump’s speeches is on unpaid leave and will not work on July 16, press secretary Caroline Levitt said.
“The White House has very strict ethical guidelines regarding issues like this,” Levitt said. She did not name the employee, but acknowledged that she had read the report on the employee and had discussed the issue with President Trump.
“He believes it is very unfortunate and frankly disgraceful,” Levitt said.
She confirmed that the employee was placed on unpaid administrative leave.
Gabriel Perez joined the White House in 2016 and made more than $100,000 in bets through the prediction market Calsi, according to ABC News. The platform allows people to bet on specific words included in the president’s speech.
“I think this is exactly how it should have played out,” Levitt said. “Mr. Kalsi reported the suspicious activity to the (Commodity Futures Trading Commission). They investigated it, identified the individual, and he will no longer work in the White House.”
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission told USA TODAY it was neither confirming nor denying the investigation.
Mr. Levitt said he was not aware of any other White House staffers using privileged information to make similar bets.
