bettor sues Polymarket for $170,000 after disputed Trump 'Khamenei' bet

Jesús Manuel Gonzalez Hernandez bought 170,000 yes shares for $300 on Polymarket, wagering that Donald Trump would mention “Khamenei” or “Ayatollah” in the week of March 15. He asserts that, while speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said “Khamenei” twice, a claim supported by White House transcripts and video footage. Polymarket, however, resolved the market as a no, stating the president had mispronounced the name and was referring to the late Ruhollah Khomeini.

Gonzalez Hernandez’s attorney Max Burwick contends the bet’s rules did not require exact pronunciation or reference to a specific Khamenei, and suggests the outcome may have been due to a technical glitch or operator override. The complaint also lists Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan and CMO Matthew Modabber as defendants, though they have not responded. Polymarket declined to comment on the litigation.