Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, reacted strongly to a report from New York Magazine that raised concerns about his mental health. He labeled the article as a “hit piece” from a publication he views as biased after a reporter confronted him about it on Tuesday.
In a statement he issued on Friday, Fetterman asserted that he is “healthy” following a significant stroke in May 2022. When pressed by NBC’s Kate Santaliz regarding the report, which cited anonymous sources, he responded, “This is a story of one source with some anonymous sources. It’s a hit from the very left publication. There’s nothing more to say about it.”
A recent piece in New York Magazine claimed to depict Fetterman as a senator facing severe mental health challenges, describing issues with his staff and casting doubts on his mental state. It noted that although no one explicitly linked his controversial stances—such as his amicable dealings with former President Trump—to his mental health, the connection could be inferred.
The article also referenced concerns raised by Fetterman’s former Chief of Staff, Adam Gentleson, who reportedly expressed worries about the senator’s well-being. Gentleson had even emailed Fetterman’s doctor at Walter Reed, detailing his apprehensions, stating, “I think John is on a bad track and I’m really worried about him.” He added that Fetterman had not been adhering to his medication regimen and had been avoiding routine medical check-ups.
During the same interview, Santaliz questioned Fetterman about Gentleson’s claims. Fetterman deflected, reiterating that the source of the concern was anonymous and dismissing it as a lack of credibility.
In an earlier statement, Fetterman had mentioned that his family and actual physician confirmed his good health, attributing the article’s claims to disgruntled staff members. Notably, Fetterman has faced backlash from some within his party, especially due to his recent supportive views toward Israel, which have contrasted sharply with the sentiments of many progressive Democrats.
Since the report’s release, criticism has arisen, particularly among conservatives, who view the article’s contents as exaggerated or misleading. Fetterman, who received significant liberal support during his 2022 campaign, now faces increasing scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum.
As of now, neither Senator Fetterman nor New York Magazine has publicly responded to requests for comment regarding the article’s implications.
