Trump Raises Middle Finger at Ford Worker Who Called Him ‘Pedophile Protector’
On Monday, February 9, 2026, a video posted online showed U.S. President Donald Trump raising his middle finger and shouting profanity toward a Ford worker during his January 13 visit to the Ford F-150 assembly plant in Dearborn, Michigan. The incident occurred after the worker shouted what sounded like “pedophile protector” as criticism of Trump’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein controversy.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union confirmed Monday that Thomas “TJ” Sabula, the worker who heckled Trump, was not disciplined and retained his job. UAW Vice President Laura Dickerson stated that Trump told Sabula he would be fired, but Sabula remains employed with no disciplinary record.
Dickerson said: “This ain’t ‘The Apprentice.’” She referenced the reality show Trump hosted before becoming president, where contestants were dismissed at the end of each episode for poor performance. “There was a worker at that plant that day who famously told Mr. Trump exactly what he thought of him,” she added. “Unfortunately in that moment we saw what the current president really thinks about working people and the way he responded — he gave us the middle finger.”
Online fundraising campaigns for Sabula surpassed $800,000 before being suspended. Ford’s executive chairman Bill Ford described the incident as “unfortunate” and stated he was embarrassed by it.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
