President Donald Trump drew attention Tuesday during a tour of a Michigan manufacturing facility after a worker shouted remarks at him about his handling of the Epstein files. Video footage shows the president appearing to mouth an expletive and gesture with his middle finger in response.
White House spokesman Steven Cheung defended the president’s reaction, saying, “A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response.”
Following the encounter, the worker who shouted at the president was suspended, according to the United Auto Workers union, which represents employees at the plant. In a statement issued Wednesday, the union defended its member’s right to free speech and said it would “ensure that our member receives the full protection of all negotiated contract language safeguarding his job.”