Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman addressed what he called a “silly hit piece” on Tuesday, responding to a recent article from New York Magazine that referenced a former staff member questioning his dedication to his job given his ongoing health struggles.
Fetterman, who had a debilitating stroke during his 2022 campaign, spoke to Fox News Digital, likening the experience of facing this late-breaking criticism to something out of “Good Fellas.” “Everyone gets a heartbeat from time to time. It’s just a stupid hit and we all moved forward,” he said.
He suggested that the former aide, Adam Gentleson, who was quoted in the article, holds a “strange grudge” for offering a sharply critical view of him.
Recent discussions about Fetterman’s health and family life, coupled with online chatter, have put him back in the spotlight. The article quoted Gentleson, a past aide to Senator Harry M. Reid, who described Fetterman’s unusual behavior following his hospital discharge, suggesting it diverged from his recovery plan.
“But that’s where we were and we all moved on,” he remarked as he entered the Senate office building.
The piece stirred social media reactions, raising concerns about his health practices, attitude toward Israel, and potential family tensions, particularly regarding his wife, Gisele. It pointed out that while Fetterman claims to be healthy, both past and current staffers feel they no longer recognize him.
In earlier incidents, reports noted questions about Fetterman’s wellbeing and a message sent by staff that questioned his current state. Another article detailed an episode where he was found severely dehydrated, but doctors confirmed he hadn’t suffered another stroke as initially feared.
There was also mention of a conversation with Senator Sherrod Brown, where Fetterman allegedly appeared “almost catatonic.” However, after being discharged from the hospital, he immersed himself into Senate responsibilities, becoming increasingly vocal on issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Fox News Digital reached out to New York Magazine but did not receive a prompt reply. Meanwhile, Gentleson has also voiced criticisms toward elements of the progressive left.
