Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa…, was visibly frustrated during a confrontation with CNN reporter Manu Raju on Tuesday after being asked about his health and whether he planned to step down following allegations in a New York Magazine report.
The report, published last Friday, raised concerns about Fetterman’s fitness for office, citing comments from former and current staff members who described his behavior as erratic.
The article highlighted the senator’s stroke in May 2022 and his treatment for depression in early 2023, fueling the ongoing discussion about his ability to serve in office.
Fetterman, however, strongly dismissed the article, calling it a “hit piece” put out by disgruntled former staffers with personal grudges. He has been open about his mental health struggles, but he insists that his health is not an issue in fulfilling his duties as a senator.
During the exchange with CNN, Raju pressed Fetterman on whether he was adhering to his prescribed medication regimen, a question stemming from his past struggles with depression.
Fetterman defended himself, stating that his doctor reported he was doing “great” and expressed anger over the “invasive” nature of the question. He argued that discussing someone’s medical issues in such a manner is unnecessary and inappropriate.
The New York Magazine report also included comments from Fetterman’s former chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, who expressed concern about the senator’s health and alleged that he had not been following his medication plan.
However, Fetterman continues to dismiss these concerns, attributing them to individuals with an agenda against him.
Fetterman went further to explain that if people were genuinely concerned about his well-being, they should have approached him directly instead of airing grievances to the media. He claimed that the report was orchestrated by those who had personal grudges against him.
Additionally, CNN raised the issue of a report from the magazine stating that Fetterman had been driving recklessly. The senator quickly brushed this off, calling it a non-story and referring to it as a simple accident.
When asked if he planned to serve his full term in the Senate, Fetterman responded in an incredulous tone, making it clear that he had no intentions of stepping down.
“Of course. Obviously,” he emphasized, reinforcing that his past treatment for depression was not an obstacle to his role as a senator.
The article has sparked debate among political circles, with many conservatives dismissing the New York Magazine report as a partisan attack.
They believe the report’s focus on Fetterman’s support for Israel and other political views is the real reason behind the backlash against him, with critics speculating that liberals are distancing themselves from the senator despite previously supporting him after his stroke during the 2022 midterm campaign.
In response, a spokesperson for New York Magazine defended the report, stating that it was based on extensive research, fact-checking, and information from multiple sources—both on the record and anonymous—who have worked with the senator, as well as comments from Fetterman himself.
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