It has been revealed that one of the individuals who profited from using non-public government information in U.S. prediction markets—where people bet on the outcomes of political and social events—is a staffer responsible for President Trump's speech drafts.

According to reports from ABC and CNN, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is investigating Gabriel Perez, a Deputy Assistant to the President and technology advisor, on charges of insider trading on the prediction market Kalshi.

Prediction markets, which are gaining popularity in the U.S., include platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi, where users place bets on events such as whether or when the U.S. military might conduct an airstrike on Iran.

Perez, who serves as the teleprompter operator for the President's speeches, reportedly placed bets in so-called mention markets, where participants wager on which specific words or phrases prominent figures, including President Trump, will use in public.

According to CNN, President Trump's speeches often undergo numerous revisions until the very last moment, and Perez is among the few staff members with access to the final drafts.

President Trump has trusted Perez for 10 years, stating that "only Perez can operate his teleprompter."

His annual salary is 175,000 dollars, approximately 250 million KRW, which is considered high even within the White House.

It is reported that the amount Perez earned on Kalshi reached 100,000 dollars, approximately 150 million KRW.

In a statement, Kalshi said, "Our surveillance team detected Perez's trading and referred the matter to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission."

However, ABC News reported that Perez is attempting to reach a settlement with the CFTC on the condition of returning the profits, and that the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has decided not to pursue criminal charges against him.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a briefing on the 16th (local time) that "Perez has been placed on unpaid leave," adding that "it was a decision made by the President."

This case marks the first time a suspect has been identified following allegations that White House staff were involved in insider trading on U.S. prediction markets, which have seen explosive popularity this year.

There is speculation that the case of Perez may only be the tip of the iceberg when viewed across the entire Trump administration.

As abnormal trading activity has been detected not only in prediction markets but also in stock and crude oil futures markets ahead of President Trump's announcements, the White House has warned its staff to refrain from speculative activities.

Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Choi Gang-san | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News