Pete Buttigieg Criticizes Trump for Alleged Gesture to Autoworkers at Ford Factory
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Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently criticized President Trump following reports of an incident during his visit to a Ford factory in Michigan. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Trump mouthed an expletive and made an obscene gesture toward a heckler.
While speaking at the Detroit Auto Show, Buttigieg remarked that this incident is indicative of a broader pattern in Trump’s interactions with autoworkers. He stated, “I don’t know much about the [human resources] side of it, but what I know is that President Trump did literally what I believe he’s been doing figuratively for some time, which is give autoworkers the finger.”
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaks at a Mobility Global Forum at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show on Jan. 14, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Buttigieg further accused Trump of being a “union buster,” attributing the loss of manufacturing jobs across the country to his administration. “Look, he’s been a union buster,” Buttigieg asserted. “He has presided over the loss of manufacturing jobs in this country. And then when somebody sees someone as powerful as him come into their workplace, he gives them the old ‘FU.’”
He added, “In some ways, it’s just in character for him to be that way. And obviously my sympathies are with the worker and not the president.”
FORD NAMED NO. 1 MOST ICONIC AMERICAN COMPANY IN NATIONWIDE SURVEY: ‘MAKING PEOPLE’S LIVES BETTER’
President Donald Trump (C) walks with Executive chair of Ford Motor Company Bill Ford Jr. (L), and CEO of Ford Motor Company Jim Farley as they tour the Ford River Rouge Complex on Jan. 13, 2026, in Dearborn, Michigan. (Getty Images / Getty Images)
The controversy arose after a video surfaced, initially reported by TMZ, showing Trump appearing to mouth an expletive and make an obscene gesture toward a heckler during his visit to the Ford River Rouge complex. In the footage, Trump turns briefly to the crowd and seems to say “f— you” while raising his middle finger before walking away.
TMZ noted that the incident followed a heckler shouting insults at the president off-camera, describing Trump’s reaction as “flipping the bird” while continuing to walk.
ANOTHER FIRE IGNITES AT FORD ALUMINUM SUPPLIER’S NEW YORK PLANT, MONTHS AFTER FIRST BLAZE
Ford signage at a dealership in Richmond, California, on June 21, 2024. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
In defense of the president’s reaction, White House communications director Steven Cheung stated, “A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response.”
The autoworker who was suspended for his remarks has reportedly expressed that he has “no regrets.” Meanwhile, the White House and Pete Buttigieg have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Skye Baehr and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently criticized President Trump following reports of an incident during his visit to a Ford factory in Michigan. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Trump mouthed an expletive and made an obscene gesture toward a heckler.
While speaking at the Detroit Auto Show, Buttigieg remarked that this incident is indicative of a broader pattern in Trump’s interactions with autoworkers. He stated, “I don’t know much about the [human resources] side of it, but what I know is that President Trump did literally what I believe he’s been doing figuratively for some time, which is give autoworkers the finger.”
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaks at a Mobility Global Forum at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show on Jan. 14, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Buttigieg further accused Trump of being a “union buster,” attributing the loss of manufacturing jobs across the country to his administration. “Look, he’s been a union buster,” Buttigieg asserted. “He has presided over the loss of manufacturing jobs in this country. And then when somebody sees someone as powerful as him come into their workplace, he gives them the old ‘FU.’”
He added, “In some ways, it’s just in character for him to be that way. And obviously my sympathies are with the worker and not the president.”
FORD NAMED NO. 1 MOST ICONIC AMERICAN COMPANY IN NATIONWIDE SURVEY: ‘MAKING PEOPLE’S LIVES BETTER’
President Donald Trump (C) walks with Executive chair of Ford Motor Company Bill Ford Jr. (L), and CEO of Ford Motor Company Jim Farley as they tour the Ford River Rouge Complex on Jan. 13, 2026, in Dearborn, Michigan. (Getty Images / Getty Images)
The controversy arose after a video surfaced, initially reported by TMZ, showing Trump appearing to mouth an expletive and make an obscene gesture toward a heckler during his visit to the Ford River Rouge complex. In the footage, Trump turns briefly to the crowd and seems to say “f— you” while raising his middle finger before walking away.
TMZ noted that the incident followed a heckler shouting insults at the president off-camera, describing Trump’s reaction as “flipping the bird” while continuing to walk.
ANOTHER FIRE IGNITES AT FORD ALUMINUM SUPPLIER’S NEW YORK PLANT, MONTHS AFTER FIRST BLAZE
Ford signage at a dealership in Richmond, California, on June 21, 2024. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
In defense of the president’s reaction, White House communications director Steven Cheung stated, “A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response.”
The autoworker who was suspended for his remarks has reportedly expressed that he has “no regrets.” Meanwhile, the White House and Pete Buttigieg have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Skye Baehr and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
