Daijiworld Media Network - Dearborn
Dearborn, Jan 14: US President Donald Trump was caught on video raising his middle finger and appearing to hurl profanity at a factory worker who criticised his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein controversy during a visit to a Ford auto plant in Michigan.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at the Ford F-150 assembly facility in Dearborn, where Trump was touring the plant floor. Video of the exchange, first published by entertainment website TMZ, shows a worker shouting what sounded like “pedophile protector” as the president stood on an elevated walkway. Trump turned toward the individual, appeared to respond with an expletive and made an obscene hand gesture before walking away.
The White House did not dispute the authenticity of the video. Responding to the incident, White House spokesperson Steven Cheung said, “A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response.”
Despite the brief confrontation, other Ford employees were seen cheering and welcoming Trump as he toured the assembly line, shook hands with workers and posed for photographs.
Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford later described the incident as unfortunate and said he was embarrassed by it. “That was six seconds out of an hour-long tour. And the tour went great,” he told reporters. “I think he really enjoyed it and we did too.”
Trump has previously used profanity in public settings, often in response to criticism or confrontation. He continues to face scrutiny from sections of the public over his handling of sensitive federal records related to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in jail in 2019. Trump has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s alleged crimes and has not been accused of wrongdoing.
The Michigan visit was part of Trump’s broader effort to showcase his administration’s support for U.S. manufacturing, a central theme as the 2026 election cycle approaches. Michigan remains a politically significant state, with domestic jobs and industrial growth featuring prominently in Trump’s economic messaging.