Democratic Sen. John Fetterman Claims Progressives Are ‘Wishing That I Die’

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) finds himself increasingly isolated from the progressive faction of his party, and he has grown concerned that some on the left harbor ill wishes toward him.

“What I have found out over the last couple years is that the right, and now the left, are hoping that I die,” Fetterman told the New York Times. “There are ones that are rooting for another blood clot. They have both now been wishing that I die.”

Fetterman suffered a stroke caused by a blood clot during his 2022 Senate campaign. While he still experiences an auditory processing disorder, his condition has significantly improved.

Fetterman has faced vehement criticism, primarily from the right, since the start of his campaign. He sought treatment for depression earlier this year.

Critics from the right have spread baseless claims, such as the suggestion that he has a “body double,” or that he is unable to fulfill his duties. In response, Fetterman released a line of merchandise based on the comments.

Surprisingly, in recent weeks, Fetterman has faced more backlash from the left than from the right.

This shift in criticism largely stems from his support for Israel. This stance has put him at odds with progressive voices who expected him to be more critical of the right-wing Israeli government’s actions, particularly its extensive bombing campaign in Gaza.

Fetterman has also resisted calls from fellow Democratic colleagues to attach conditions to U.S. aid to Israel.

Fetterman asserted, “Zero. Zero conditions…I stand with Israel, and they shouldn’t have any conditions,” in an interview with Business Insider.

He has shown dismissiveness towards progressive concerns, whether they pertain to potential changes in U.S. immigration policy or their grievances about the funds he used for a Cameo video to taunt Sen. Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), who is under indictment.

When faced with criticism from progressives earlier this month, Fetterman responded mockingly, “Progressives? Oh, no, really? Somehow we’ll be okay with it, despite that… They really gotta get over it.”

In recent weeks, Fetterman has distanced himself from the “progressive” label altogether and now feels that he no longer aligns with the term. He stated, “It’s just a place where I’m not… I don’t feel like I’ve left the label; it’s just more that it’s left me.”