Trump makes obscene gesture, mouths expletive at Ford factory heckler

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Ford factory tour footage shows Donald Trump appearing to mouth an expletive and raise his middle finger toward a heckler during a visit to a Ford Motor Company facility in Dearborn, Michigan, Tuesday Jan 13, 2026. The incident occurred as Trump toured the Ford F-150 plant, where a worker off camera can be heard shouting “pedophile protector” — an apparent reference to criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of matters related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In cellphone video, Trump is seen twice mouthing “f--- you,” pointing toward the factory floor, and later raising his middle finger before continuing his walk and waving. Ford later confirmed the employee involved had been suspended. The worker told The Washington Post that he stood by his actions and had “no regrets.” White House communications director Steven Cheung confirmed the authenticity of the footage and defended the president’s reaction. “A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response,” Cheung said in a statement to The Washington Post. A separate video released by the White House shows Trump taking selfies with workers during the same visit, underscoring contrasting moments from the tour. Ford has not issued further comment on the suspension, and the company did not specify how long the disciplinary action would last.