Who is Gabriel Perez? Veteran Trump teleprompter operator accused of making over $100,000 from Kalshi bets

Gabriel Perez, a longtime Trump aide, is accused of profiting from prediction market bets tied to speeches he saw early.

Gabriel Perez, one of Donald Trump’s longest-serving aides, is facing scrutiny after a new ABC News report alleged that he made more than $100,000 by betting on prediction markets using advance knowledge of Trump’s speeches. Perez, who has operated Trump’s teleprompter since 2016, reportedly had access to prepared remarks before several major addresses, including the State of the Union.

According to ABC News, Kalshi flagged unusual activity on its “Mentions” market, where users can bet on whether certain words or topics will appear in a speech. The report says a federal review followed, and Perez has since been placed on unpaid leave.

Gabriel Perez’s role in the Trump administration

Gabriel Perez joined Trump’s team in 2016 after Trump’s staff searched for teleprompter services and found the New York company where Perez worked, according to a 2020 Politico profile.

Over the years, he became one of Trump’s most trusted behind-the-scenes aides, handling the teleprompter during speeches and often receiving last-minute edits directly from the president.