On January 13, 2026, President Trump visited a Ford Rouge plant in Dearborn, Michigan, to talk about his job plans and other economic issues. The workers there assemble Ford trucks. While Trump was touring the plant, a Ford worker named TJ Sabula shouted out that Trump was a “pedophile protector.” In response, Trump gave Sabula the middle finger and mouthed a phrase, which was variously reported as “fuck you” or “you’re fired.” The White House defended Trump’s reaction and called Sabula’s comments “an inappropriate fit of rage.”

Ford suspended Sabula without pay, saying that Sabula’s actions didn’t meet the company’s expectations for respect in the workplace. Various fundraising pages were established for Sabula on GoFundMe, which raised over $800,000 in about a day, after which Sabula paused the request for contributions and asked people to donate to other appropriate causes because the fund had reached its goal.

UAW Local 600, of which Sabula is a member, protested and appealed Ford’s disciplinary decision, pointing out that Sabula was merely exercising his First Amendment rights on a political issue very much in the news. As of February 9, the UAW reported that Ford had relented, that Sabula would keep his job at the Dearborn truck plant, and that he had no discipline on his record. Sabula told the Washington Post he had no regrets about the confrontation, stating “I don’t feel as though fate looks upon you often, and when it does you better be ready to seize the opportunity.”

It seemed to me on reading these reports that the story of TJ Sabula was the stuff of which ballads should be made, so here is one.

#political #lyricsonly

Verse One:

It was bitter cold in Dearborn On that January Day When the evil king came calling And when TJ had his say

The king thought he’d be basking In the workers’ loving glow But TJ’s accusation Gave his ego quite a blow

The royal middle finger raised To what TJ had said And the evil king demanded To be given TJ’s head

Chorus:

TJ Sabula Your praises here we sing You’ve spoken truth to power and You’ve mocked the evil king

TJ Sabula Why can’t they let you be? You had the right to say it For the moment we’re still free

Verse Two:

The nobles clutched their pearls and rushed To the evil king’s defense Though some of what they said was making Very little sense

“How unfair to say our king Committed any crimes.” (Although he’d been convicted of them Over thirty times)

“To suggest the king’s a predator! For that there’s no excuse!” (Though a jury had found him liable For his sexual abuse)

“The king protects no pedophiles! To say so is a shame!” (Although the Epstein files are simply Bursting with his name)

[repeat chorus]

Verse Three:

The mighty lords of River Rouge Did heed the king’s command Though their efforts to take TJ’s head Would not proceed as planned

The workers came together, saying “This you shall not do. TJ’s allowed to speak his mind, And what he said was true.”

Presented with this common front The lords would back away TJ’s courageous spirit lives To fight another day

So TJ and his worker friends Assemble every truck For the king’s supposed dignity TJ didn’t give a fuck

[repeat chorus]