- TJ Sabula is reportedly no longer suspended after the incident.
- Trump responded with a middle finger and an apparent curse.
- Two GoFundMe pages raised over $800K before being shut down.
The Ford employee who allegedly confronted former President Donald Trump during his visit to the Dearborn assembly plant is reportedly no longer suspended from work. The worker, TJ Sabula, had shouted “pedophile protector” as Trump toured the factory floor, sparking an immediate reaction and a viral moment.
While Sabula’s employment status has changed, it remains unclear whether he has physically returned to the plant.
Read: Trump Flipped Him, But Ford Worker Might Laugh All The Way To The Bank
The insult, shouted from across the factory, prompted Trump to respond with a middle finger and what appeared to be an audible “f… you.” The exchange was caught on video and quickly circulated online, generating headlines internationally.
In the aftermath, Ford placed Sabula on suspension pending an internal investigation. During that period, two GoFundMe campaigns launched in his name collectively raised more than $800,000 before being closed to further donations.
Status Restored
As reported by Shifting Gears citing inside sources, Sabula was no longer under suspension as of the beginning of this week. He remains employed by Ford and continues as a member of UAW Local 600. While Ford has reinstated him in technical terms, it’s unclear whether Sabula has returned to his role on-site or opted to take further personal time.
When contacted by the author, Phoebe Wall Howard, Ford said that it “does not comment on personnel matters”.
With a substantial amount raised in donations, he now has the financial breathing room to take some time away, if he chooses, after an encounter that clearly resonated far beyond the factory floor.
Union Stands Firm
UAW leadership has publicly backed Sabula in the wake of the incident. According to the union’s vice president and director of its Ford Department, Sabula retains full representation and access to all negotiated benefits. The union has also confirmed its support for ensuring his rights are upheld.
At the time, a Ford spokeperson had told CBS: “One of our core values is respect and we don’t condone anyone saying anything inappropriate like that within our facilities.When that happens, we have a process to deal with it but we don’t get into specific personnel matters.”
Presidential Optics and Production Plans
The incident unfolded during the President’s high-profile visit to Ford’s truck plant, which he toured for approximately one hour. Securing a visit from Trump was a coup for Ford, allowing them to curry favor with the administration.
During the visit, Ford chief executive Jim Farley announced the company will build an affordable new combustion pickup truck at its plant in Tennessee, thanks to the White House winding back CAFE regulations.
