Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has vehemently denied recent allegations questioning his fitness for office, dismissing a New York Magazine report detailing claims of erratic behavior as a “hit piece.”
In a sit-down interview with CNN’s Manu Raju in his Senate office, Fetterman asserted he is adhering to his medical regimen and is fully committed to serving out his term, which ends in 2028.
The New York Magazine article, which has drawn significant attention, leaned heavily on assertions from Fetterman’s former Chief of Staff, Adam Jentleson.
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Jentleson reportedly claimed that the Senator, who was treated for clinical depression at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for approximately six weeks in early 2023, is no longer strictly following the medical plan prescribed by his doctors and has demonstrated “erratic and reckless behavior.”
“My reaction is, it’s just the one source hit piece and it involved, maybe two or three, and then Anonymous, disgruntled staffers saying, uh, just absolute false things,” Fetterman stated to CNN. He emphasized his current well-being, saying, “My doctors are, like John is, great, and I am. I am on all of the plan that has always been.”
Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in May 2022, was upfront about his battle with depression but denied any other conditions. “I’ve been very front and center about my with depression. Absolutely. None of these other things,” he said, suggesting the report stemmed from a “weird grudge.”
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The New York Magazine piece cited Jentleson, who reportedly resigned a year after Fetterman’s discharge from Walter Reed, alleging the Senator doesn’t regularly take his medication, is prone to conspiratorial thinking, drives recklessly, tells “painfully obvious lies,” and dodges medical check-ups.
The report also included accounts of anonymous staffers describing Fetterman’s behavior at times as “manic” and “unhinged,” and one instance prior to his Walter Reed stay in February 2023 where he allegedly walked into traffic.
Concerns among staff about his interactions with constituents and reported strain in his marriage, partly over political disagreements such as his strong support for Israel, were also mentioned.
Despite Fetterman’s strong denial and characterization of Jentleson’s claims, his former Chief of Staff stands by his account. When asked by CNN for a response to Fetterman’s interview, Jentleson stated, “I stand by what I said, and I hope he gets the help he needs.”
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While Fetterman confidently stated his intention to complete his current Senate term – “Come on, of course, that’s” – he indicated it was “too early to say” whether he would run for reelection in 2028.
He also noted that he has received support from many of his Senate colleagues who are pushing back against the allegations.
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