Trump’s Middle-Finger Reply at Detroit Ford Plant Leads to Worker’s Suspension

Overview

• TMZ published video of the exchange, and the White House confirmed its authenticity and described the president’s response as appropriate.
• The worker was identified to the Washington Post as 40-year-old assembly-line employee T.J. Sabula, who said he was the person who shouted at the president.
• Sabula told the paper he does not regret the remark, expressed concern for his job, and said he believes he has become a target for political retaliation.
• The suspension is pending an internal inquiry, according to coverage citing Sabula and Ford’s handling of the incident.
• The heckle referenced Jeffrey Epstein, renewing focus on disputes over promised disclosures of Epstein-related files and conflicting statements from the FBI, the Justice Department, and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.