US President Donald Trump appeared to swear and make an obscene gesture toward a factory worker during a widely circulated video of his visit to a Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan, on Tuesday. The exchange occurred as Trump toured the facility to highlight his administration’s support for American manufacturing.
The incident was first reported by entertainment outlet TMZ, which published a video showing an irate worker shouting at Trump on the factory floor. The words from the worker were partially inaudible, but the clip suggests he accused the president of being a “paedophile protector.” The full context of the statement could not be confirmed from the recording.
The worker, TJ Sabula, a 40-year-old line worker with United Auto Workers Local 600, later told The Washington Post that he was referring to Trump’s ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the handling of sensitive federal files related to him. Sabula said he was about 20 metres from the president when he yelled, insisting Trump could hear him “very, very, very clearly.”
“I don’t feel as though fate looks upon you often, and when it does, you better be ready to seize the opportunity,” Sabula told the Post. “Today I think I did that.”
In response, Trump – walking along an elevated platform in the plant – appeared to yell “f— you” at Sabula before continuing down the line. He then turned back once more and raised his middle finger in what many interpreted as an obscene gesture.
The White House has not disputed the authenticity of the video. White House spokesman Steven Cheung described the worker as “a lunatic… wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage” and said the president’s reaction was “appropriate and unambiguous.”
Sabula said he had previously voted Republican, though not for Trump, and expressed concern that he had been “targeted for political retribution” after being suspended from his job. “As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” he said.
A Ford spokesperson confirmed that the company had reviewed the video. “One of our core values is respect, and we don’t condone anyone saying anything inappropriate like that within our facilities,” the spokesperson told TMZ. “When that happens, we have a process to deal with it, but we don’t get into specific personnel matters.”
While the altercation drew attention, other employees reportedly greeted Trump warmly, taking photos with the president, shaking hands, and cheering as he toured the assembly line.
The visit comes as Michigan is viewed as a crucial swing state ahead of the 2026 elections. Domestic job creation and manufacturing have remained central to Trump’s economic messaging, and he has frequently highlighted American factories during campaign-style events.
Trump has previously denied any knowledge of Epstein’s alleged abuses and sex trafficking. Throughout his political career, he has occasionally used profane language in public, particularly when responding to criticism or confrontation, or when emphasizing a point.
The incident is likely to draw renewed scrutiny over Trump’s public behavior and interactions with critics, especially as he positions himself for another potential White House run. Meanwhile, the suspended worker’s comments and the president’s response could further polarize opinions among voters in key industrial states like Michigan.
The video has sparked debate on social media, with some defending Trump’s reaction as understandable under provocation, while others criticized it as unbecoming of a sitting president.
As the 2026 election year unfolds, interactions like this underscore the continuing intersection of politics, personality, and public perception in Trump’s campaigns, particularly in battleground states where manufacturing and labor issues remain top of mind.
