Kalshi investigates prediction market bets placed before Trump appointment announcement

Prediction market platform Kalshi is investigating trades placed on Donald Trump's selection for White House press secretary, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and CNBC. The investigation focuses on wagers made before news outlets publicly reported the selection of Katie Zacharia. [1][2][3][4][6]

The Block and The Defiant both report that three specific wagers totaling approximately $173 were placed prior to the public announcement. The three wagers cost about $19, $74, and $80. The Block noted that these positions are expected to yield a combined payout of roughly $9,600. [1][2]

Public records show that the underlying prediction contract has settled as Yes, according to The Defiant. However, it remains unclear whether individual account withdrawal restrictions have been imposed on the traders involved. [2]

Financial analysts have previously identified signs of potential insider trading involving anonymous prediction market accounts with unusually high win rates during the second Trump administration. Kalshi operates as a federally regulated commodity exchange, though it has faced ongoing legal challenges and regulatory disputes regarding its market offerings. [8][9]