Ford employee suspended after calling President TRUMP "pedophile protector" during his plant’s tour

Friday, January 16, 2026 - Ford has suspended an employee who hurled insults at President Donald Trump during his inspection of a company factory.

According to reports from the Washington Post (WP), Wall Street Journal (WSJ), and others on the 14th (local time), T.J. Sabula, 40, the Ford employee who insulted President Trump, was placed on suspension.

Sabula had directed the slur “pedophile protector” toward President Trump while he was touring the Ford F-150 pickup truck production plant in Dearborn, Michigan.

In response, President Trump turned toward the source of the noise and extended his middle finger in a vulgar gesture. He was also captured, appearing to shout “fxxx you” twice.

Some speculated that the incident reflected dissatisfaction with the Trump administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, a convicted s£x offender.

Sabula, a member of the United Auto Workers (UAW), stated he “regrets nothing” about his actions while on suspension pending the investigation. He added concerns about his future employment, saying, “I feel targeted for political retaliation for embarrassing President Trump.”

The UAW expressed support for Sabula. Laura Dicerson, UAW Ford Department Vice President, said, “Sabula believes in freedom of expression, a principle we fully support. We will stand with our members to protect their voices on the shop floor.”