The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has publicly declared its support for a Ford Motor Co. employee who was suspended after heckling former President Donald Trump during a tour of a Michigan factory. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, has sparked a significant public response, including a fundraising campaign that has garnered hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Union Stands Firm on Free Speech
In a strong statement of solidarity issued on Wednesday, January 14, UAW Vice President for the Ford Department, Laura Dickerson, affirmed the union's backing of the worker. "He is a proud member of a strong and fighting union—the UAW," Dickerson said. "He believes in freedom of speech, a principle we wholeheartedly embrace, and we stand with our membership in protecting their voice on the job." The union also criticized the behaviour directed at the worker, with Dickerson stating, "Workers should never be subjected to vulgar language or behaviour by anyone — including the President of the United States."
The Incident and Immediate Fallout
The confrontation took place at Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, where Trump was touring the F-150 pickup truck assembly line. The worker, identified as TJ Sabula, was heard in a video shouting "pedophile protector" at the former president. Trump responded with an expletive and by holding up his middle finger. Sabula later told the Washington Post he had "definitely no regrets" about his actions.
Following the incident, Ford suspended Sabula pending an investigation. The automaker declined to confirm the specific suspension but released a statement condemning the heckling. "One of our core values is respect and we don’t condone anyone saying anything inappropriate like that within our facilities," the company said. The White House defended Trump's reaction, with spokesman Steven Cheung calling Sabula a "lunatic" in a "complete fit of rage" and stating the president's response was "appropriate and unambiguous."
Overwhelming Public Support and Financial Backing
The suspension triggered a swift and substantial show of public support for Sabula. Supporters quickly launched a GoFundMe campaign titled "TJ Sabula is a patriot!!" to provide financial assistance. The fundraiser saw an explosive response, collecting more than US$325,000 from approximately 14,700 donations by midday on Wednesday. This massive influx of contributions highlights the polarized political climate surrounding the event.
The UAW has pledged to ensure Sabula receives "the full protection of all negotiated contract language safeguarding his job and his rights as a union member." Meanwhile, Ford's stock saw a minor decline of less than one percent in New York trading on Wednesday afternoon.
This event underscores ongoing tensions in U.S. political discourse and the complex intersection of workplace conduct, free speech, and union advocacy within the automotive industry's heartland.
