Updated on 1/14/26 at 7:25 a.m. ~ A message seeking comment from Ford to confirm if the worker was fired or suspended was not immediately returned on Tuesday evening. ~ To the Advance, White House communications director Steven Cheung called the worker "a lunatic" who was "wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage." ~ "Ford said they
can't talk about it because it's a human resources issue".
Debbie Dingell also said that the union confirmed that the confrontation meant the man was facing disciplinary action.
Dingell also said she was inquiring with Ford about the status of the man's employment, and if he was being suspended and investigated in violation of his free speech rights. "When you're on a factory floor with union members that have strong feelings, you need to be prepared for whatever they're gonna say, and I hope they're not firing him because I believe in free speech". "The UAW worker was expressing his right to free speech, and I'm asking questions as to what has happened." ~ I feel very strongly that Ford Motor Company is
sending a message that people can't stand up for sexual abuse survivors".