TJ Sabula says ‘no regrets’ as Ford suspends Trump heckler, White House calls him ‘lunatic’

Ford suspended employee TJ Sabula after he labelled US President Donald Trump a “paedophile protector” during to its Dearborn plant in Michigan.

Updated on: Jan 15, 2026, 01:48:07 IST

By Shweta Kukreti

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Ford has suspended employee TJ Sabula after he called Donald Trump a “paedophile protector” during a visit to its Dearborn plant in Michigan, which led the President to respond with an obscene gesture and curse words.

Ford takes action against employee for heckling Trump (Reuters)

The incident, which took place on 13 January, was captured in a video, showing Trump pointing at the heckler before making the gesture in front of a group of workers.

Sabula, 40, a member of the United Auto Workers, referred to the administration's management of the Jeffrey Epstein case and stated that he has no regrets regarding his actions. Ford has announced that it does not tolerate inappropriate conduct within its facilities and has initiated an internal investigation.

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Here's what happened at Michigan event

Trump was present at the Ford facility, where the F-150 pickup truck is manufactured, to engage in discussions about production when the incident took place. TJ Sabula yelled “paedophile protector” from the factory floor, garnering immediate attention. Footage from TMZ depicts Trump gesturing before raising his middle finger and mouthing “f**k you” on two occasions.

The term “paedophile protector” pertains to the controversies surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender who was linked to prominent people , including his connection with Trump. However, the President faces no charges of any wrongdoing. Sabula slammed the Justice Department's handling of Epstein's records under Trump government.

White House defends Trump

The White House defended the President's reaction, with Steven Cheung asserting, “A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response.”

Speaking to Washington Post, Sabula stated that Trump could hear him distinctly, adding, “As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever.”

What did Ford say?

Ford took immediate action by suspending Sabula while a probe was underway. Executive director David Tovar stated, “One of our core values is respect and we don't condone anyone saying anything inappropriate like that within our facilities.”

This demonstrates the procedures in place to uphold decorum during visits from dignitaries. Ford is required to navigate its relationships with unions and political figures, particularly in light of Trump's impact on the automotive industry. The results of the investigation are still awaited.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shweta Kukreti
Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

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