Here’s what happened.
A new report has placed one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent congressional allies at the center of allegations involving prediction market betting ahead of the 2024 election. Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is accused of sharing advance information about Trump’s vice presidential choice with a conservative influencer who allegedly profited from the tip—claims that both individuals firmly deny.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Luna allegedly told associates during a lunch in Tampa, Florida, in the summer of 2024 that she already knew Trump had decided to choose Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate.
The report cited a person familiar with the conversation who claimed Luna later acknowledged sharing that information with conservative influencer Rogan O’Handley, better known online as “DC Draino.”
Report Claims Influencer Placed Winning Bet
According to The Wall Street Journal, O’Handley allegedly used the information to place a wager on prediction market platform Polymarket that Vance would become Trump’s vice presidential nominee.
The newspaper also reported that Luna later joked O’Handley should have made a larger wager after the prediction turned out to be correct.
People familiar with the matter reportedly told the newspaper that O’Handley later informed associates he had won money on the successful prediction.
Prediction markets such as Polymarket allow users to wager on the likelihood of future events, including elections, political appointments, and other major news developments. Because money is at stake, allegations involving nonpublic information often receive significant regulatory attention.
O’Handley Denies Wrongdoing
O’Handley strongly rejected the allegations when contacted by The Wall Street Journal.
O’Handley said in a statement that claims he traded using confidential information or even discussed doing so are simply false.
He also denied ever receiving or using nonpublic information about Trump’s vice presidential selection.
Luna Pushes Back Against Allegations
Luna likewise dismissed the report and denied providing anyone with insider information.
In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, the Florida Republican responded with sarcasm.
Luna responded sarcastically, saying the suggestion that she somehow knew Trump’s decision in advance was false and joking that she certainly wasn’t psychic.
She added that she intends to continue supporting efforts to crack down on insider trading.
A spokesman for Luna also said the congresswoman filed a criminal complaint with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), alleging that false information had been knowingly submitted to the federal agency.
Report Says Federal Regulators Are Looking Into Claims
According to The Wall Street Journal, one source familiar with the matter said the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has been investigating the allegations.
However, the newspaper noted that the existence of an investigation does not necessarily indicate that any laws were broken or that wrongdoing occurred.
O’Handley told the newspaper he is unaware of any federal investigation involving him.
As of now, federal officials have not publicly confirmed the existence or scope of any investigation.
Insider Trading Allegations Draw Attention
The allegations have attracted attention because Luna has become one of Congress’ leading advocates for stronger ethics rules involving financial trading.
The Florida Republican has repeatedly argued that lawmakers should be prohibited from trading individual stocks while serving in Congress.
Last December, Luna filed a discharge petition designed to force a bipartisan congressional stock trading ban onto the House floor for a vote.
At the time, she argued that Americans deserve confidence that elected officials are serving the public rather than their own financial interests.
In an earlier statement, Luna argued that banning congressional stock trading enjoys broad public support nationwide. She said Americans deserve lawmakers who prioritize serving the public rather than advancing personal financial interests or special-interest agendas.
Separate Report Raises More Questions About Prediction Markets
The Wall Street Journal report surfaced just days after ABC News reported on unrelated allegations involving one of President Trump’s teleprompter operators.
According to ABC News, the employee allegedly earned roughly $100,000 through prediction market trades that investigators are examining for possible use of advance information connected to the president’s speeches.
That matter is separate from the allegations involving Luna and O’Handley.
At this time, neither Luna nor O’Handley has been charged with any crime, and both have categorically denied wrongdoing. Federal authorities have not publicly confirmed any investigation or announced any enforcement action. Whether regulators ultimately pursue the allegations remains to be seen as additional information becomes available.
