Dismissed for being a pedophile protector, Ford worker was hit by a durian that fell for Rp2.7 billion

Ford employees assemble the F-150 at the Ford Truck Plant in Dearborn. (Photo: Ford)

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump's visit to the Ford factory in Dearborn Truck Plant, Michigan, ended in a riot after a production line worker, TJ Sabula, committed suicide. When Trump was touring the factory with Ford executives, Sabula shouted "pedophile protector" accusations at the President from a distance of about 18 meters.

The incident, which occurred on January 13, 2026, was recorded in an amateur video that went viral on social media.

Photo: TMZ

Responding to the cries, President Trump was caught on camera saying rude words and openly pointing his middle finger at Sabula. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended the President's actions by calling Sabula a "mad person" who was shouting in anger. The White House claimed that Trump's response was a fitting and unambiguous response to the provocation.

As a result of his daring act, TJ Sabula, who is a member of the UAW Local 600 union, was immediately given a suspension sanction by Ford management. Despite being threatened with losing his job, the 40-year-old man admitted that he had no regrets at all. To the media, he stated that his action was based on his dissatisfaction with the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case in the past. Sabula felt that he was now a political revenge target for having embarrassed Trump in public.

The Ford Motor Company itself regrets the incident and insists that the company does not tolerate inappropriate behavior in its facilities. Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford said he was ashamed as a host, although he stressed that the incident only lasted a few seconds and did not undermine the overall agenda of a successful factory tour. So far, Ford and the union have not provided further details on the duration or final consequences of Sabula's suspension.

Interestingly, as reported by Road & Track, Thursday, January 15, Sabula's action actually triggered a wave of financial support from the public. A fundraising campaign on the GoFundMe platform was immediately launched to help his family's economy during this period of job uncertainty. In just a short time, the funds raised have exceeded the figure of more than 162,000 US dollars (about Rp. 2.7 billion), proving how divided public opinion is on the heated dispute between the factory worker and the President.