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Trump's teleprompter operator on unpaid leave for alleged prediction market bets on Trump speeches
By Bill Barrow, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 16, 2026
· 3 min read
President Donald Trump’s teleprompter operator is on unpaid leave after reports that he used his inside knowledge to make bets about the president’s speeches on the online prediction market Kalshi, the White House said Thursday.The firm’s enforcement chief said Kalshi contacted federal regulators...
Key takeaway White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president is aware of the situation, which she described as “unfortunate” and “a disgrace.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The situation involving President Trump's teleprompter operator has implications for the local community in Piney Point Village , where many residents take pride in their city's reputation for integrity and transparency. As the White House navigates this issue, it may also spark conversations among local government officials and residents about the importance of ethical guidelines and accountability in their own community. In Harris County, where Piney Point Village is located, there may be a renewed focus on ensuring that local officials and employees are held to high standards of conduct, particularly when it comes to the use of inside information for personal gain. The fact that Kalshi, the online prediction market, has implemented new disclosure requirements for users may also prompt local businesses and organizations to review their own policies and procedures for preventing similar abuses.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump’s teleprompter operator is on unpaid leave after reports that he used his inside knowledge to make bets about the president’s speeches on the online prediction market Kalshi, the White House said Thursday.The firm’s enforcement chief said Kalshi contacted federal regulators...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Bill Barrow, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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