President Trump flips off Ford worker during a Michigan factory visit. The White House confirmed the obscene gesture after the worker accused Trump of protecting pedophiles, igniting backlash and viral debate.
MICHIGAN — A tense moment broke out during President Donald Trump’s visit to a Ford Motor Company manufacturing plant on Tuesday, after a factory worker hurled an accusation at the president — and Trump responded in a non-presidential way.
According to multiple reports, as Trump stood on an elevated platform addressing workers, one man in the crowd shouted that Trump was a “pedophile protector.” Seconds later, Trump was seen raising his middle finger toward the direction of the heckler.
The moment didn’t stay hidden for long.
After video of the exchange began circulating online, the White House confirmed that Trump did, in fact, flip off the worker. Administration officials defended the reaction, describing the man who shouted the accusation as a “lunatic” and characterizing the outburst as hostile and unprovoked.
Some outlets also reported that Trump appeared to mouth an expletive while making the obscene gesture.
The Ford plant visit was meant to highlight American manufacturing and job growth.
