The White House defended President Trump after a video surfaced showing him apparently making an obscene gesture during a visit to a Ford factory in Michigan on Tuesday.
The video, shared by TMZ, appears to show Trump responding to a man shouting an inaudible remark on the factory floor. The footage captures Trump pointing, mouthing an obscenity, and raising his middle finger before walking away.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung told CBS News, “A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response.”
According to TMZ, the heckler shouted “pedophile protector,” reportedly in reference to the administration’s handling of unsealed documents related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. The Justice Department has missed a court-ordered deadline to fully release the documents, citing the need to protect victims’ identities.
A spokesperson for the United Auto Workers told CBS News the man was suspended by Ford.
Trump toured Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan, plant, which assembles F-150 trucks, ahead of a speech to the Detroit Economic Club. While at the facility, he gave an interview to CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, speaking about the economy, protests in Iran, and the recent shooting of Renee Good by an immigration agent.
Trump’s visit comes amid efforts to highlight his economic record, including inflation and employment trends. However, polling indicates public sentiment remains largely negative about the economy.
