'Patriot' money floods GoFundMe after worker calls Trump 'pedophile protector,' suspended by Ford
Supporters donate $500K+ in 1 day, write personal messages to UAW member
This story has been updated to include new developments.
Free speech supporters, union brothers and sisters, and critics of Donald Trump have flocked to GoFundMe.com for the UAW member suspended from his factory job by Ford Motor Co. on Tuesday afternoon.
TJ Sabula, a 40-year-old lineworker who yelled “pedophile protector” during President Trump’s visit to the Ford plant that builds F-150 pickups in Dearborn, confirmed his identity to The Washington Post in a story published late Tuesday.
“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” Sabula told the Post, noting that he’s concerned about the future of his job and believes he has been “targeted for political retribution” for “embarrassing Trump in front of his friends.”
Trump has received bipartisan criticism for the administration’s handling of the investigation into the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
As Shifting Gears previously reported, Trump responded to the heckling at the Ford factory with “f*** you” while making an obscene gesture caught on camera. A White House spokesman confirmed the authenticity of the video, and he put out a statement calling the president’s profane reaction “appropriate.”
Now the UAW Local 600 member is the focus of a different kind of attention.
A GoFundMe site labeled, “TJ Sabula is a Patriot!!” raised more than $85,000 from 3,600 donors by 12:20 a.m. Wednesday.
Just 26 minutes later, at 12:46 a.m., the site had raised $99,190 from 4,300 donors.
By 2:39 a.m., a total of $121,676 had been raised by 5,400 donors — 82% toward the goal of $150,000.
Average contribution just $23
Contributions ranged mostly from $5 to $50, with the biggest donation being $5,000 from an anonymous donor. The average gift was $23 in the wee hours of Jan. 14, 2026.
Sean Williams of Seneca, South Carolina, was listed as the organizer.
He wrote, “Please help us raise funds for patriot TJ Sabula!! TJ was suspended from his job at the Ford Automotive Company for correctly calling President Donald J Trump a Pedophile Protector!! Let’s rally and support TJ and help him pay some bills (and force DJT to release the Trump/Epstein Files) LFG!!”
Williams said:
UPDATE ** I am working on transferring this donation project to TJ - for him to control directly.
UPDATE 2 ** I am in direct contact with TJ and we are discussing the donation beneficiary and how best to proceed. He is super grateful for everyone’s support and donations!
Shifting Gears left messages for Sabula and Williams seeking comment.
As of 12:37 p.m. on Wednesday, the “Patriot” GoFundMe account had reached $331,042 with some 15,000 donations. In addition, another GoFundMe account titled “Support Ford worker TJ Sabula during suspension” had raised $178,881 from 7,100 donors. The latter was organized by Diandra Gourlay of Highland Park, Mich., who identified herself as a longtime personal friend of Sabula.
Shifting Gears confirmed with a GoFundMe spokesperson that both accounts raising money to benefit Sabula have been verified.
Also Wednesday, UAW Vice President Laura Dickerson, director of the Ford Department, released this statement about Sabula: “The autoworker at the Dearborn Truck Plant is a proud member of a strong and fighting union — the UAW. He believes in freedom of speech, a principle we wholeheartedly embrace, and we stand with our membership in protecting their voice on the job. The UAW will ensure that our member receives the full protection of all negotiated contract language safeguarding his job and his rights as a union member. Workers should never be subjected to vulgar language or behavior from anyone — including the President of the United States.”
‘You spoke for so many of us’
Within hours of news that the UAW member had been suspended, social media posts popped up online urging people to email CEO Jim Farley — or reach him through his social media accounts — and discourage him from firing Sabula.
Support for the UAW member went viral on social media
Some donors to GoFundMe wrote heartfelt remarks to Sabula. These are a few:
Rick Cruz ($25) said, “Best to you, Thank you for speaking up. Good luck with your future, stay strong and continue to voice your truth. Go Lions, from a retired Teamster local 853.”
Lyna L. ($5) said, “Thank you for flexing your freedom of speech … May we all get through this insane time.”
Rachel Bishop ($10) said, “Your next beer is on me. Thank you for causing ‘good trouble.’”
Tonia Bartlett ($10) said, “May your pillow always be cold and your pockets always be full. God bless you, patriot!”
Paula Herrera ($10) said, “You spoke for so many of us.”
Grant Westwood ($5) said, “Fascism/corruption thrive in silence. Be loud! … He needs to know where we stand. None of this is ok.”
Rachel Wolf ($5) said, “If only our Congress and journalists showed 10% of your courage, maybe we could right this s(t)inking ship.”
Eileen O’Farrell ($100) said, “We all have to be as loud & brave as you!”
David Ouzts ($100) said, “So well said! We’ve reached a new presidential low, and I say that every time, unfortunately.”
Linda S. ($50) said, “You made World News Tonight, TJ! But more importantly, you caused Trump to bring the Epstein Files back to the forefront despite all his efforts and distractions to bury these crimes once again. Thank you for your courage to stand up for the Survivors of these crimes who have been failed for decades by people in power inexplicably protecting other people in power who have committed heinous acts. You, as well as those protesting/protecting targeted populations around the country are the true patriots.”
John Rogers ($18) said, “Not all heros wear capes. Ford mgmt needs to do better.”
After being suspended from his job on Tuesday, Sabula changed his Facebook profile picture from two adults in brightly colored winter coats to an image of President Trump holding up his middle finger.
Ford suspends worker, managing drama
Ford, which employs the most hourly manufacturing workers of any U.S. automaker, has earned a reputation for having a solid working relationship with the UAW and its members.
Behind the scenes, multiple sources told Shifting Gears that changing policies under President Trump have created new and ongoing challenges for all automakers; they must be cautious about what they say and how they behave in an attempt to avoid backlash from the president. Ford, General Motors and Stellantis have sustained billions in losses related to recent tariff policies.
Editor’s Note: Phoebe Wall Howard covered Ford Motor Co. and the UAW as an award-winning beat reporter for The Detroit Free Press from 2017-2024.
More:
UAW member yells at Trump, suspended by Ford
How Ford tariff team whipped together consumer campaign in 72 hours
‘We got our asses handed to us’
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Damn! You are on this, girlfriend
! I hope TJ becomes a millionaire!
Will never buy another ford😡