John Fetterman calls scathing profile of himself a ‘hit piece’ from ‘disgruntled former staffers’

Senator John Fetterman dismissed a scathing profile of his Senate tenure as a “hit piece” driven by “disgruntled staffers.”On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Pennsylvania Democrat has shown “little interest” in his job, often avoiding constituents and skipping out on Senate business. Instead, the self-described “regular Democrat” has devoted much of his energy to fostering relationships with conservative media and defending Israel.The viral report was based on interviews with more than 12 former staffers and lawmakers in addition to internal records, such as text messages.Fetterman, who has shown a willingness to break with his Democratic colleagues, and has even threatened to leave the party if it takes an anti-Israel policy, responded by providing a lengthy statement to CNN.“Per usual — lies, half-truths, innuendos, smears and anonymous,” the 57-year-old senator told the outlet. “No matter how many smears or stories, I’m proud to continue to deliver for Pennsylvania.”Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, described a scathing profile of him in The Wall Street Journal as a 'hit piece' by 'former disgruntled staffers' (Getty Images)The Independent has contacted Fetterman’s office for comment.In his statement, Fetterman reacted to a series of text messages included in the Journal’s report, describing them as having been “stripped of any context and circumstances.”In a September text exchange, the Keystone State senator asked his aides why he needed to meet with employees from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Because they’re worried about Medicaid cuts,” a staffer wrote, prompting Fetterman to reply: “Well, I’m not,” according to the Journal.In his statement, Fetterman characterized that text as a “dumb joke,” adding: “And for that, I sincerely apologize.” He said he had met with officials from the hospital both “virtually and in person” and that he will “always” advocate for them.The Journal also reported that the lawmaker opted not to attend a September funeral for three slain Pennsylvania police officers because the service was too long.“The funeral will begin at noon and last at least 3 hours,” an aide wrote in a text message. “3 hours??” the senator replied, later adding: “This may be a nonstarter.”Fetterman told CNN that he had moved to offer his sympathy and meet with the families impacted. “On the day of that tragedy, we privately ordered flowers to be delivered for their families and expressed my condolences publicly,” he said, pointing to an X post from the time.Fetterman has shown a willingness to break with his Democratic colleagues, and has even threatened to leave the party if it takes an anti-Israel policy (Getty Images)The senator, first elected in 2022, also skipped a scheduled June meeting with three paralyzed veterans to discuss health care, the Journal reported. Fetterman had told staff he was unwell, but less than an hour later arrived at his office “showing no signs of illness” and ready to appear on Fox News to talk about Israel and the Iran war.“It was my intention to meet with the group,” Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in 2022 and checked himself into a hospital for clinical depression the following year, told CNN. “Prior to the meeting I was at home throwing up, so I asked my staff to continue with the meeting which they did,” he added. “Hours later, I felt well enough to continue the day as scheduled.”The Pennsylvania senator has been the subject of withering profiles in the past.Last year, New York Magazine reported that the senator was involved in a serious car wreck in 2024, one which injured his wife Gisele, after he ignored staffers’ concerns and got behind the wheel, then supposedly fell asleep. Additionally, Fetterman reportedly engaged in heated personal exchanges with his wife over Israel’s siege of Gaza and other issues.In a statement provided to The Independent at the time, Fetterman dismissed the report as a “hit piece” authored by “disgruntled staffers with lies or distorted half-truths.”