Kalshi, a prediction market regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is probing a cluster of three small bets placed on Katie Zacharia shortly before she was named White House press secretary. The stakes were about $19, $74 and $80, totaling roughly $173, with potential combined payouts above $9,500 (one report cites about $9,600). Individual potential returns included approximately $1,896, $3,689 and $4,023.
Zacharia’s selection was revealed on October 9 via Truth Social, and the Wall Street Journal reported Kalshi’s investigation the same day. Kalshi confirmed the probe but provided few details; it is unclear who placed the trades, whether any payouts have been held, or if the company will refer the matter to the CFTC. The platform has previously flagged similar cases, including a July 2026 CFTC-related inquiry tied to a teleprompter operator.