Heckling at Ford Plant Leads to Suspension After Trump Clash

A Ford Motor Co. employee was suspended Wednesday after he loudly heckled President Donald Trump during the president’s tour of the company’s F-150 plant in Dearborn, Michigan on Tuesday. The incident, captured on video, showed the worker shouting “pedophile protector” at Trump, an apparent reference to the president’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, and Trump responding with an expletive and a raised middle finger.

The suspended worker, identified as 40-year-old UAW Local 600 member T.J. Sabula, said he has “no regrets” about confronting the president but expressed concern about the impact on his job.

“A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives … and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response,” said White House communications director Steven Cheung in defense of Trump’s reaction.

Ford said it does not condone inappropriate behavior in the workplace and emphasized respect among employees, though it declined detailed comment on the personnel action.

The United Auto Workers union pledged to protect Sabula’s rights, and online fundraisers supporting him have drawn significant donations amid broader debate over free speech and workplace conduct.