UAW defends autoworker after Trump flips him off during Ford factory visit

A number one auto union is defending a Ford worker who exchanged insults with President Donald Trump throughout his go to to a Michigan plant, saying staff ought to by no means be uncovered to vulgar language or conduct.

Laura Dickerson, vp and director of the Ford chapter of the United Auto Staff (UAW), mentioned the auto employee on the Ford River Rouge plant in Dearborn “is a proud member” who “believes in freedom of expression, a precept we wholeheartedly embrace, and we stand behind our membership to guard their voice at work.”

“The UAW will be certain that our member receives the total safety of all contractual provisions that shield his job and his rights as a union member,” Dickerson mentioned in a press release. “Workers shall not be subjected to vulgar language or conduct by anybody, together with the President of the US.”

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President Donald Trump acknowledges staff throughout a tour of the Ford River Rouge plant Tuesday in Dearborn, Michigan. An worker is alleged to have exchanged insults with Trump through the go to. (The White Home by way of X)

The employee shouted an insult at Trump, who responded by “flipping the fowl” and saying the phrases “f—you” twice.

An internet fundraiser purportedly for the employee, who recognized himself as TJ Sabula, mentioned he has been suspended by the Ford Automotive Firm for calling Trump a “pedophile protector!!” The fundraiser additionally urged Trump to launch extra recordsdata associated to Jeffrey Epstein.

Steven Cheung, the White Home communications director, defended Trump’s response, telling Fox Information Digital: “A lunatic shouted wild expletives in a whole match of rage, and the president gave an applicable and unequivocal response.”

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President Donald Trump listens to Ford River Rouge plant supervisor Corey Williams, left, and Ford Govt Chairman Invoice Ford throughout a tour of the Ford River Rogue advanced, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Dearborn, Michigan. (Evan Vucci/AP Photograph)

Sabula informed The Washington Post that he was the one that yelled at Trump through the go to and mentioned he’s suspended pending an inside investigation.

“So far as calling him out, I’ve completely no regrets,” Sabula informed the newspaper, including that he’s involved about the way forward for his job and believes he’s “being focused for political retaliation” for “embarrassing Trump in entrance of his pals.”

President Donald Trump speaks as Govt Chairman Invoice Ford (left), Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Ford CEO Jim Farley and Ford River Rouge plant supervisor Corey Williams hear, Tuesday in Dearborn, Michigan. (AP Photograph/Evan Vucci)

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Sabula, who mentioned he identifies as politically unbiased and by no means voted for Trump, informed the newspaper that he has supported different Republican candidates previously. He mentioned he was standing about 60 toes away from Trump on the time and that the president may hear him “very, very, very clearly.”

Fox Information Digital has contacted Ford.

Fox Information Digital’s Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.