Ford employee insulted Trump, president responded with middle finger

During his visit to the Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan, on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump got into a verbal altercation with a factory employee. The incident occurred during a tour of the production line when someone shouted an insult at Trump.

According to witnesses, the insult was "protector of pedophiles," referring to the president's contact with the late criminal Jeffrey Epstein, the Washington Post reported.

Trump responded nonverbally: according to mobile phone footage, he first quietly repeated the vulgar insult and then gave the provocateur the middle finger. He then turned and waved.

The White House described the president's reaction as "appropriate." "A madman in a fit of rage shouted insults, and the president gave a clear response," said communications director Steven Cheung.

The man who confronted the president was TJ Sabula, a 40-year-old plant employee. He confirmed that he did indeed shout the remark and was subsequently suspended from work pending an investigation into the incident. He added that he does not regret his actions but is concerned about the consequences.

Sabula describes himself as a politically independent voter who wanted to take advantage of a unique opportunity.

(max)