Fetterman Responds to Mental Health Report

Democrat Senator John Fetterman has criticized a recent report by a New York magazine which, citing current and former staff, questioned his mental health. He dismissed the article as a “one-source hit piece” from a “very left publication.”

Addressing reporters, Fetterman (D-Pa.) remarked that the claims were based on anonymous sources and, he believes, hold no real merit. His comments came after an incident that had drawn considerable attention, including a rocky relationship with his wife, Gizel.

When asked about the concerns attributed to those speaking to the magazine, he retorted, “They don’t actually worry; it’s a hit.” The report prominently featured former staffer Adam Gentleson, who left his position last year and expressed his worries in an email.

Gentleson conveyed his concerns about Fetterman, stating, “I think John is on a bad track and I’m really worried about him.” Additionally, the article noted that Fetterman had been seen “wandering” the Capitol and had several near-misses with vehicles.

Other sources in the magazine also raised questions about whether Fetterman was consistently taking his medications.

Reacting to Gentleson’s concerns, Fetterman disclosed that he had instructed his doctor to restrict access to his medical information following Gentleson’s actions that he felt jeopardized his privacy.

Fetterman, who suffered a stroke just days before winning the Democratic Senate primary in May 2022, managed to defeat Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz despite facing significant challenges during his recovery.

In his first year in the Senate, he was candid about his struggles with depression. A major turning point came after a deadly surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which attracted criticism from former campaign officials over Fetterman’s unyielding support for Israel, leading to accusations of betrayal from some progressive allies.

Shortly after the attack, more than a dozen former Fetterman campaign staff penned anonymous letters denouncing his position on the conflict. This controversy intensified when a staff member confronted Fetterman about his attitude towards Israel, to which Fetterman replied that his wife has her own perspective, describing such discussions as typical in political marriages.

Gizel defended her husband, labeling Gentleson’s remarks as a “terrifying, untruthful story about John’s health,” and remarked that the doctors would likely be more puzzled by Gentleson’s comments than by any issues related to Fetterman himself.