John Fetterman Reacts to Concerns About His Health
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Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, responded to concerns about his health stemming from a report published New York Magazine's Intelligencer last week.
Newsweek reached out to Fetterman's office and New York Magazine for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Fetterman has faced concerns about his health since his Senate run in 2022, when he suffered a stroke on the campaign trail. Despite concerns following the stroke, he went on to defeat Republican Mehmet Oz in the battleground state, which has been roughly evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans in recent elections.
New York Magazine's Intelligencer published an article featuring an interview with Fetterman's former chief of staff Adam Jentleson, who raised concerns about the senator's health and whether he was following his recovery plan after the stroke.
Senator John Fetterman attends the AI Insight Forum in Washington, D.C., on September 13, 2023.
Senator John Fetterman attends the AI Insight Forum in Washington, D.C., on September 13, 2023.What To Know
Fetterman responded to the article in remarks to NBC News.
"It's a one-source story with a couple anonymous sources. A hit piece from a very left publication," Fetterman said. "There's really nothing more to say about that."
NBC News associated producer Kate Santaliz followed up by asking, "He said he was worried you're not taking your medications. Are you taking your medications, sir?" The senator reiterated that it was a "hit piece" with "anonymous sources."
In additional remarks posted to X, formerly Twitter, by CBS News' Cristina Corujo, Fetterman said he does not believe people are concerned about him.
"They're actually not concerned," he said. "It's a hit piece."
Jentleson told the publication that Fetterman appeared to be committed to the recovery plan after the stroke but was not following up properly and had not been attending regular blood draws, a key part of the plan.
Jentleson told the Intelligencer that Fetterman "could get back in treatment at any time, and for a long time I held out hope that he would. But it's just been too long now, and things keep getting worse." He left Fetterman's team in March 2024.
What People Are Saying
Progressive commentator and journalist Mehdi Hasan wrote on X on Friday: "This email, a year ago, from Fetterman's former chief of staff, and this entire piece from Ben Terris, makes clear that Fetterman should not be serving in the Senate. Every Senate Democrat should read this and be asked about it - especially Schumer."
Former Democratic and independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona posted to X: "Despicable hit piece on @JohnFetterman- I wish I was surprised anyone would publish an obvious vendetta re: a man's medical journey. What a weird medical stalker. To the former staffer: My advice to you is to do what your parents did. Get a job, sir."
What Happens Next
Fetterman is up for reelection in 2028 in Pennsylvania, which flipped back to President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race after backing former President Joe Biden in 2020.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
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