George Santos settles CFTC charges for $35,000 over prediction market trades

Former U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY) will pay a $35,000 penalty to settle charges from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced on July 31, 2026. The agency accused Santos of engaging in "manipulative activity" for trades he placed on the prediction market Kalshi regarding whether he would attend the State of the Union address.

CFTC settlement terms

• ▪Former congressman George Santos agreed to pay $35,000 to settle charges from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
• ▪The CFTC announced the settlement in a statement on July 31, 2026.
• ▪George Santos is a former Republican congressman from New York.

Prediction market trades

• ▪The trades were made on the prediction market Kalshi and concerned whether Santos would attend the State of the Union address.
• ▪The CFTC charged George Santos with engaging in "manipulative activity" related to his trades.

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