Trump makes obscene gesture at Ford plant heckler; White House defends him

During a visit to Ford's Detroit plant, Donald Trump made an obscene gesture and mouthed an expletive at a heckler; the White House called his response 'appropriate'

The White House has defended President Donald Trump after he made an obscene gesture at a worker during a visit to a Ford factory in Michigan, saying his response was “appropriate”.

 

Trump was touring Ford’s F-150 plant in Dearborn on Tuesday when he reacted angrily to a heckler from the factory floor. A cellphone video from the visit shows Trump pointing at someone below him, mouthing an expletive twice and later raising his middle finger as he walked past, before waving and continuing with the tour.

 

Just before Trump’s reaction, a voice can be heard off camera yelling “pedophile protector”. The remark appeared to refer to criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of the investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.  Trump has repeatedly denied any involvement or knowledge of Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. While the two were once acquaintances, Trump has said he cut ties with Epstein before abuse allegations emerged.

 

White House defends Trump

 

In a statement to Sky News, White House spokesperson Steven Cheung said, “A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the president gave an appropriate and unambiguous response.”

 

The administration did not indicate whether any further action would be taken over the incident.

 

Who was the heckler?

 

The man who shouted at Trump later identified himself as TJ Sabula, a 40-year-old line worker and member of United Auto Workers Local 600 at the Ford plant.

 

Speaking to The Washington Post, Sabula said he was the person calling out to the president during the visit. He added that he has since been suspended from work while the company conducts an internal investigation.

 

“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” Sabula said. He also said he is concerned about his job and believes he has been “targeted for political retribution” for “embarrassing Trump in front of his friends”.

 

Trump’s visit to the plant was part of his trip to Detroit ahead of a speech at the Detroit Economic Club. Several Ford workers were seen cheering, smiling and taking selfies with the president as he walked through the facility.