White House Defends Trump After Middle-Finger Gesture at Ford Plant; UAW Backs Suspended Worker
President Trump made a middle-finger gesture at a Ford worker who heckled him; White House defended him, while UAW vowed to defend the suspended employee.
Overview
President Donald Trump responded to a heckler during his Jan.13 tour of Ford's Dearborn F-150 assembly plant by mouthing an expletive and giving a middle-finger gesture.
White House Communications Director called the heckler 'a lunatic' and described Trump's response as 'appropriate and unambiguous', defending the president's gesture.
UAW member TJ Sabula identified himself as the heckler and was suspended by Ford; the UAW says it will defend his contractual rights and job protections.
Crowdfunding efforts for Sabula surged after the incident, with multiple GoFundMe pages collectively raising in excess of $340,000 to $365,000, according to reports.
The exchange drew wider attention amid ongoing debate over Jeffrey Epstein files and DOJ disclosure, complicating Trump's factory visit and public messaging about his economic agenda.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources report this episode without strong editorial framing, presenting competing statements, context, and caveats. They quote the White House defense, Ford’s HR stance, the alleged heckler’s explanation, and DOJ caveats on Epstein records, while noting Trump has not been accused—balancing allegations with rebuttals and factual context.
Sources (18)
![Trump Flips Off Ford Worker, Yells "Fuck You" [VIDEO]](https://www.joemygod.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Trump2025fuckmouth1-1.jpg)
FAQ
During his January 13 tour of Ford's Dearborn F-150 assembly plant, President Trump responded to a heckler, identified as UAW member TJ Sabula who yelled 'pedophile protector,' by mouthing an expletive and giving a middle-finger gesture.
White House Communications Director called the heckler 'a lunatic' and described Trump's middle-finger response as 'appropriate and unambiguous.'
TJ Sabula, a UAW member, was suspended by Ford following the incident, but the UAW vowed to defend his contractual rights and job protections.
Crowdfunding efforts for Sabula surged, with multiple GoFundMe pages raising over $340,000 to $365,000.
Trump's January 13, 2026, visit to Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant promoted his manufacturing agenda, highlighting tariffs on foreign vehicles, regulatory relief, and Ford's expansions like 24-hour shifts and new truck production.
History
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