John Fetterman Blows His Top at Reporters Asking If He’ll Switch Parties: ‘Chill!’

Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) snapped at reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday as they grilled him over his political future and followed him to an elevator, days after the Democrat made a surprise appearance at President Donald Trump’s Republican midterm convention.

The reporters gave chase, pressing the senator on Wall Street Journal reporting that outlined allegations from former staffers that Fetterman showed “little interest” in some of his day-to-day responsibilities, including claims that he skipped hearings and canceled meetings with constituents. Fetterman branded the reporting as “lies” at the time.

Fetterman initially ignored the questions, but as he stood by an elevator waiting, one reporter asked: “The way the Democratic Party is going right now, is there a chance for you to become a Republican, sir?”

“I’m not going to be a Republican!” Fetterman snapped.

He continued: “Why can’t you guys just wait till the midterms? And if I turn a Republican, then I’ll be a liar, then.”

“My name is not on the ballot. Like, chill and wait for the midterm here!” he added. “I’ve always been a Democrat. It’s like no matter how many times I say that, I’m still getting asked just getting into the elevator.”

The exchange came less than a week after Fetterman appeared by video at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, where he introduced Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) and pledged to work with Trump.

In the clip, standing outside Western Pennsylvania’s Mon Valley Works steel mill, Fetterman said he and McCormick would work with Trump “to fight and defend the steel way of life right here in the Steel Valley.”

The appearance intensified scrutiny of Fetterman’s increasingly strained relationship with parts of his own party, despite his repeated insistence that he remains a Democrat. Fetterman is not up for reelection until 2028.

Watch above via CSPAN.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!