Sen. John Fetterman said former staffers posting unflattering claims about him on X and speaking anonymously to the media aren’t telling the truth, adding that he was just joking in at least one leaked, crass text message.
Mr. Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat who regularly bucks the far-left wing of his party, told CNN that media reports about him involving leaked text messages are “hit pieces” from disgruntled former employees.
“Per usual — lies, half-truths, innuendos, smears and anonymous,” Mr. Fetterman said. He sent CNN an additional comment later: “No matter how many smears or stories, I’m proud to continue to deliver for Pennsylvania.”
Former staffers leaked unflattering text messages from Mr. Fetterman to the Wall Street Journal that appear to raise questions about his commitment to the job.
On Friday, an X post written by alleged ex-Fetterman staffers piled on those claims.
“if you were troubled by yesterday’s Wall Street Journal story … trust us, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It’s even worse than you thought,” the post read, promising to “share our stories (and screenshots) to show Pennsylvanians exactly who their Senator is.”
The X post suggested Mr. Fetterman, who typically appears in the halls of Congress in a sweatshirt hoodie and shorts, would not show up to vote when the Senate returns to session Sept. 14.
Mr. Fetterman suffered a stroke before his election in 2020 and has made a remarkable recovery. He is up for re-election in 2028 and is already seeing Democratic challengers who seized on the leaked texts.
“John Fetterman is a disgrace. Our state deserves better than a lazy trust fund baby who is too lazy to do the job,” wrote Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Pennsylvania Democrat who has said he is weighing his options in 2028.
Staffers leaked some of Mr. Fetterman’s text messages to The Wall Street Journal, including one questioning the need for him to “keep having to meet” with officials from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
An aide told Mr. Fetterman the staff are concerned about Medicaid cuts that could hurt the hospital’s funding and Mr. Fetterman replied, “Well, I’m not,” according to the leaked text
Mr. Fetterman told CNN that his response was a “dumb joke, and for that, I sincerely apologize.” He pointed out that he met with the hospital’s staff in person and virtually.
Ex-staffers also leaked that Mr. Fetterman did not attend a funeral for three police officers killed in the line of duty near his hometown of York because he thought the three-hour event was too long.
Mr. Fetterman told CNN that he expressed condolences and met with family members.
The former staffers said Mr. Fetterman claimed to be ill when he skipped a planned meeting with three paralyzed Pennsylvania veterans to discuss healthcare legislation, but he showed up later at the office and appeared on Fox News for an interview.
“Prior to the meeting I was at home throwing up, so I asked my staff to continue with the meeting which they did. Hours later, I felt well enough to continue the day as scheduled,” Mr. Fetterman told CNN.
Mr. Fetterman has been attacked by his party for siding with Republicans on some issues, especially defending Israel in its war against Hamas.
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