Pelosi-Linked Stock Dumped for $1.3M in a Day—What Do They Know That We Don’t?

Tempus AI Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), a company that’s gained media traction thanks to its inclusion in Nancy Pelosi’s 2025 portfolio, is back in the spotlight—but this time, for less bullish reasons. On April 3, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revealed that two board members sold over $1.34 million worth of shares in a single day.

The most significant sale came from board member and former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who dumped 27,837 shares on April 1. The average sale price was $47.21 per share, netting him roughly $1.31 million. Meanwhile, fellow director and CRISPR pioneer Jennifer A. Doudna also sold 625 shares at $48.12 each, amounting to around $30,000.

Executed Under Pre-Scheduled Plans—But Still Concerning?

Both transactions were carried out under Rule 10b5-1 plans, which allow insiders to schedule trades ahead of time to avoid accusations of trading on non-public information. This would typically indicate routine portfolio management rather than panic selling. However, the timing and the scale of these trades have caught investors’ attention—especially since they occurred concurrently on April 1.

It’s not the first time insiders have offloaded large chunks of TEM stock. On February 20, a group of six company insiders sold shares worth a combined $26 million. More insider sales followed in March, adding up to another $4 million in stock sold. The April 1 actions now add a fresh layer of scrutiny.

Stock Performance Decline May Be Driving the Moves

Tempus AI shares had a stellar run earlier in 2025, touching a peak of $88.94. However, by the time of the April 1 sell-off, the stock had already dropped nearly 47% from that high. This may have prompted insiders to cash out while they still had gains to lock in.

The successive rounds of insider selling suggest that some board members may not be confident in a near-term recovery or further upside. While using Rule 10b5-1 plans cushions them from legal scrutiny, the optics of multiple insiders selling in sync often send a negative signal to retail investors.

Should Investors Be Worried?

In isolation, insider selling doesn’t always mean trouble ahead. Executives often sell shares for personal financial reasons unrelated to a company’s performance. However, coordinated and recurring sell-offs—especially during a price decline—can indicate a belief among insiders that a stock has limited short-term potential.

Given Tempus AI’s drop from February highs and continued insider liquidation, investors may need to watch closely for signs of further weakening. Whether this is merely a pause before another run-up or a deeper correction depends on future earnings, market sentiment, and broader AI sector trends.

Conclusion: Pattern or Coincidence?

While the insider trades were legally structured and pre-planned, the scale and timing have raised fair suspicions. With over $1.34 million worth of shares sold in one day and more than $30 million offloaded since February, it’s clear that key insiders are trimming their stakes. For a stock so prominently tied to political portfolios and public attention, this wave of sales could indicate that even the most informed individuals are hedging their bets.