Synopsis – A remarkable trade happened on September 18, 2025, when a Polymarket trader, known by the handle BriefingRoomRat, turned a small $38 investment into an astonishing $20,050 profit. This event unfolded in a niche “mentions” market where users bet on whether Donald Trump would say the word “hottest” during his public events with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in New York.
Confusion Sparked a Massive Opportunity
The market centered on two key Trump events: a bilateral meeting and a joint press conference. Importantly, only these two events were to be counted for the resolution of the contract. However, traders mistakenly believed a Business Leaders Reception that took place between these events would also count.
During that reception, Trump did say the word “hottest.” This caused the price for “Yes” shares to skyrocket to almost 99.9%, as many traders rushed in thinking the event qualified. Polymarket later clarified that the reception did not count. When the press conference took place, Trump never said “hottest,” causing the “Yes” price to crash instantly from 99.9% to 0%.
BriefingRoomRat capitalized on this chaos by buying “No” shares early at ultra-low prices and holding firm through the panic. The market’s correction then resulted in an enormous payout, earning the trader a 527x return on investment.
How the Trade Played Out
Before the events began, “No” shares were priced very cheaply since most traders expected Trump might use the word. BriefingRoomRat bought around 19,000 shares at about $0.002 each, costing roughly $38. When the reception happened and the word was spoken, “Yes” shares surged, and “No” shares appeared worthless for a time.
However, with Polymarket’s official rule clarification, the market reoriented sharply. The price of “No” shares snapped back to nearly $1.00, while “Yes” shares crashed to zero. BriefingRoomRat’s early purchase position converted to roughly $20,000 after fees.
Lessons from a Perfect Storm
This event shows how trading in prediction markets requires deep attention to detail and quick reactions. Polymarket’s algorithm amplifies price swings in low-volume markets, creating risk and large reward opportunities. The trader’s key advantage was reading and trusting the official contract rules when others did not.
It also highlights the growing popularity of Polymarket’s “mention markets,” which offer exciting chances to profit based on real-time public figure speeches or actions. These markets combine entertainment and finance but carry high volatility and risk.
The Broader Impact on Prediction Markets
The trade quickly went viral on social media, sparking discussion about Polymarket’s transparency and how rules must be crystal clear. Polymarket, now licensed in the US, is gaining traction and attention from both retail traders and institutional investors.
For those trading in such markets, the takeaway is clear: research contract details carefully, manage risk, and approach hype with caution. What looks like chaos often hides opportunity for those prepared. This $38-to-$20,050 trade will be remembered as one of the wildest Polymarket wins yet, showing how a small bet in the right place can truly change fortunes.
Written By Fazal Ul Vahab C H
