President Donald Trump made an obscene gesture toward a Ford factory worker who heckled him during a visit on Tuesday.
A video obtained by TMZ showed Trump observing the factory floor from a balcony, at which point an unidentified worker yelled, “Pedophile protector!” The president responded by mouthing what appeared to be “f*** you,” then raised his middle finger as he walked away.
The White House confirmed Trump’s gesture in a statement to CNN.
“A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response,” the White House said.
The incident occurred as Trump toured a Ford factory in Michigan, in a trip meant to highlight domestic manufacturing, a key focus of Trump’s presidency.
The president’s crude response to the heckler drew mixed reactions, as Democrats decried it as crass and unprofessional, and his supporters found it amusing and relatable.
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“Someone HECKLED President Trump at the Ford plant today, so he mouthed ‘F*** YOU’ and flipped them the bird. THAT’S the President Trump I know and love,” influencer Nick Sortor said in a post on X, alongside a laughing emoji.
Aside from his exchange with the heckler, Trump’s visit to the plant was marked by positive interactions with the workers. Special assistant to the president and communications adviser Margo Martin posted a video of Trump taking selfies with factory workers and exchanging pleasantries with others.
