$100K Raised For Suspended UAW Worker After Heated Exchange With Trump In MI

DEARBORN, MI — A GoFundme account has raised over $100,000 for a United Auto Workers union member who was suspended after a heated exchange with President Donald Trump at Dearborn's Rouge factory Tuesday.

A longtime friend identified the worker as TJ Sabula, who appeared to call Trump a "pedophile protector," a likely reference to the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Trump responded with "f--- you," and gave the person the middle finger, according to cellphone video posted on TMZ.

Sabula, a husband and father of two, was then suspended without pay, leaving his family without money for bills, according to the account.

"TJ is a father of two young children, husband, and is a proud United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 line worker," friends wrote on the account. "Funds donated will support TJ and his family to cover expenses during this time of uncertainty."

Sabula told the Washington Post that while he had no regrets for yelling at Trump, he was somewhat concerned for his job security, as he had been "targeted for political retribution" and for "embarrassing Trump in front of his friends."

"I don’t feel as though fate looks upon you often, and when it does, you better be ready to seize the opportunity," Sabula told the outlet. "And today I think I did that."

As of Wednesday morning, the account raised $101,453.

The White House defended the president's response, telling CNN, "a lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response."

Trump toured the Rouge factory in Dearborn before speaking to the Detroit Economic Club at the Motor City Casino. He touted his victory in Michigan in the 2024 election, applauded the economy, and defended his use of tariffs.