A Ford employee who shouted at President Donald Trump during a plant visit on Tuesday has been suspended.
During the incident, which was reportedly sparked when 40-year-old TJ Sabula shouted “pedophile protector” at Trump, the president was captured on video appearing to say “F**k you” to the man, and flipping him the bird. This occurred at a Detroit Ford plant, where the suspended employee says he has “no regrets” about his behavior.
Watch:
#EXCLUSIVE 😳 President Trump was filmed flipping off a Ford worker who yelled “pedophile protector” at him. https://t.co/m5nLYtWxxT pic.twitter.com/512zEYV6WC
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 13, 2026
“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” the man, who calls himself a political Independent, said in a statement to the Washington Post.
That said, he is worried about losing his job and saying he has been “targeted for political retribution” over “embarrassing Trump in front of his friends.”
“I don’t feel as though fate looks upon you often, and when it does, you better be ready to seize the opportunity. And today I think I did that,” he added.
“A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response,” said White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, addressing Trump’s response to Sabula.
X users reacted to the incident:
Should have doubled it up. Two is better than 1.
— David Bailey (@davidbailey1400) January 14, 2026
He said “Lions are Number 1” anyone can see that…
— Florida Run Guy (@kevinmacsr) January 13, 2026
Love it! pic.twitter.com/grT64JuWsA
— Austin Capps (@AustinCappsMO) January 14, 2026
I can’t stop watching it. The BEAST ✌️
— Red Trumper 🗽🎺🎺🎺🗽 (@Redhead4645) January 13, 2026
He’s a New Yorker
— Rain Shadow (@MtnRainBearPoo) January 13, 2026
Kamala would have closed the plant he’s a retard
— 🗑️ Last Beacon of Hope God Bless America 🦅🙏🇺🇸 (@CovfefeKatie) January 14, 2026
While speaking with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil at the plant, Trump was asked about comments made by the CEO of Ford, indicating that it’s difficult to find employees.
“I know, but that’s a good thing, Tony. That means it’s vibrant. You could also have things where you have so many people, and they can’t get jobs. It’s true, we are doing so well, it’s hard. Now what’s going to happen is people are being trained rapidly, and you’re gonna have a thing called robots, and robots are gonna be a big factor. I predict that robots are gonna be a big factor in the future, and it’s gonna help out,” Trump said.
“But you have a situation now where our economy is doing so well that it’s not that easy to get people. We’re training people, they’re training people, companies are training people, and they’re doing well. You know, that’s a positive question you asked me. I don’t think you asked it in that way, but we are doing so well right now that we’re training people to take those jobs.”
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Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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