Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) urged members of his party to speak like ordinary people on Tuesday, as MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle pushed back questions about the rise of American oligarchs.
“You just ask Democrats to start talking like normal people. Most people don't know what an oligarch is, right?” Fetterman told Roule when America forced the idea that they were “making an oligarch.”
Fetterman, a Democrat who had not refrained from criticizing his party, called out fellow lawmakers for their protest and attitude during President Donald Trump's joint speech to Congress, accusing them of making Trump more of the president.
“There's another little secret too. Democrats, we like billionaires if billionaires are giving to our cause and our party,” he continued before Roule pushed back.
Fetterman argued that the bigger issue is about “unlimited money.”
“Remember, many of these billionaires were engineers and were more friendly to our party,” he said. “Unlimited money, remove it and it will change America more than any other decision.”
Pointing to Musk's role in the Trump administration, which has been widely criticized by Democrats and media members, Roule argued that “there is a difference between a very wealthy political giver and a wealthy individual within the government and a wealthy individual who can “enrich themselves and their business.”
“That's not like being a democratic donor with the president's ears. At least his phone number,” she said.
“I don't know if they are necessarily motivated based on money,” the Democrat senator argued. “Whether it's Bezos or Musk, they have more than you can spend in 100 lives. So, for that, I think rarity defines luxury, so they have unlimited money, and so many of them want to engage in it, so they want to be part of the conversation.”
Asked by Ruhle if he believes their role in government will help their businesses, Fetterman said their businesses may fit the values of the general administration.
“So for me, they might move [where] There's a lot of political water flowing,” he added. “I don't think a billionaire will take over the country. I think it's just people who have a lot of money, and by cutting unlimited money, you can voluntarily stop it.”
Fetterman said on social media that his party has become more like a “philosophical car alarm” that no one pays attention to in response to the protests during the president's speech.
“Self-owned sad cavalry and indifferent Petturance. It just makes Trump seem more presidential and restrained. We've become a critical car alarm that no one pays attention to. And that may not be a victory message,” the senator said in a post on X.
He told Fox News Digital that 13-year-old cancer survivor DJ Daniel was praised in Trump's speech and has a story that all members of Congress can celebrate. But a few Democrats remained seated as Trump praised him.
“I don't know why we can't celebrate completely,” Fetterman said. “I mean, I'm 13-year-old myself and I'm grateful that she's never had cancer, but I think it's something we all can celebrate there. And I think it was an emotional moment. And like I said, it's some of America's best experiences.”
