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.
“I just ask Democrats to start talking like normal people. Most people don't know what an oligarch is?” 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, and I like billionaires if you're giving Democrats, our cause and our party,” he continued before Roule pushed back.
John Fetterman and MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle discuss Oligarchs in an interview with MSNBC. (Screenshot/MSNBC)
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Fetterman argued that the bigger issue is about “unlimited money.”
“Remember, many of these billionaires were engineers, so they were more accessible to democratic interests and our party,” he said. “Unlimited money, remove it and it will change America more than any other decision.”
Roule pointed to Musk's role in the Trump administration, which has been widely criticized by Democrats and media members, arguing that “there is a difference between very wealthy political donors and wealthy individuals within the government and those who make decisions to “enrich themselves and their business.”
“That's not just about being a democratic donor with the president's ears, at least his phone number,” she said.
Senator John Fetterman, D-PA. discusses with West Point Cadets on the Senate Metro on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, Getty Images)
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“I don't know if they're motivated necessarily based on money,” the Democrat senator argued. “Whether it's Bezo or Musk, they have more than you can spend in 100 lives. So for that, I think that because they have unlimited money, so many of them want to engage in it, so they want them to just join in 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.
Elon Musk will speak at the CPAC Conservative Political Action Conference at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland on Thursday, February 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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 become a phoric car alarm that no one pays attention to. And that may not be a victory message.”
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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 perfectly,” Fetterman said. “I mean, I'm 13-year-old myself and I'm grateful that she's never had cancer, but I think that's something we can all celebrate there. And I think it was an emotional moment. And like I said, it's some of America's best experiences.”
