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Factory worker suspended after shouting 'paedophile protector' at Trump, who flipped the bird
The worker said he stands by his comments.
January 14, 2026, 06:15 PM
The Ford factory worker, who shouted “paedophile protector” at president Donald Trump on a visit to Michigan, has been suspended from his job.
However, TJ Sabula, 40, said he has “no regrets”.
@mothershipsg me when i see my ex in the same MRT 🙃 On Jan. 13, U.S. President Donald Trump was caught on camera flipping off a heckler during a visit to a factory in Michigan. The heckler, who was out of frame, could be heard yelling "paedophile protector" before Trump was seen mouthing "f*ck you" and raising his middle finger. According to The Washington Post, the White House confirmed that the scene captured in the video was authentic. White House communications director Steven Cheung told AFP in a statement: "A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the president gave an appropriate and unambiguous response." #trump #usa #fyp ♬ original sound - Mothership
What happened
Trump, who was visiting the factory of the automaker, was seen on video retaliating by saying “f*** you” and sticking out his middle finger.
The commander-in-chief was on a tour of the Ford River Rouge complex in Dearborn on Jan. 13 (U.S. time).
Video footage showed Trump mouthing off twice and raising his middle finger after Sabula's remarks.
Worried about future employment
Sabula said he was subsequently suspended from his job while Ford conducts an internal investigation.
Despite the potential consequences, the worker said he stands by his actions.
“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” Sabula told The Washington Post.
The worker was standing roughly 60 feet (18m) from the president at the time, it was reported.
Sabula said Trump could hear him “very, very, very clearly”.
The worker further said he believes he would be “targeted for political retribution” after “embarrassing Trump in front of his friends”, and acknowledged concerns about his future employment.
Top photo via video circulating online
