Prediction market platform Kalshi is conducting an internal investigation into a series of bets placed on the appointment of Katie Zacharia as the next White House press secretary. The trades were executed shortly before the official announcement on October 9, 2026.
Three specific wagers are under scrutiny. A $19 bet placed on October 8 had a potential return of $1,896. Two additional bets of approximately $74 and $80 were made on October 9, shortly before the news broke, with potential payouts of $3,689 and $4,023 respectively.
The total stake for these three trades was less than $175, while the combined potential payout exceeded $9,500. Prior to the announcement, the odds for Zacharia on the platform were approximately 1 percent.
A representative for Kalshi confirmed the investigation, noting that it aligns with the company's commitment to market integrity. The platform is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Kalshi has previously referred similar cases of potential insider trading to the CFTC. In July 2026, the regulator investigated trades linked to the content of speeches by Donald Trump, which resulted in the freezing of profits from those transactions.
