Timothée Chalamet’s latest paycheck may have just cost him some fans, as a new ad for prediction market giant Kalshi receives widespread backlash. The actor stars in a one-minute video directed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Linus Sandgren, but social media response has been largely negative.
The video, posted on Chalamet’s X account, features three nonsensical scenes — a dentist’s office, a bedroom, and a music store — with Kalshi’s logo appearing at the end. It has garnered over 6 million views and nearly 2,000 replies, many from fans expressing disappointment.
One user wrote, “Delete this bro we were rooting for you,” while another commented, “you are a rich and famous actor, why are you promoting trash?” The ad does not explain Kalshi’s services, leaving viewers confused about the partnership.
Kalshi operates as a regulated prediction market in the US, but critics note that celebrity endorsements can alienate core users who prefer substance over spectacle. The backlash highlights the risk of using star power without clear messaging.
Chalamet has not publicly responded to the criticism. The episode underscores the tension between mainstream marketing and the niche, data-driven audience of prediction platforms.