Reports citing former staff members raise questions about the well-being and conduct of Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman. Concerns include erratic behavior and a rapid staff turnover since his election in 2022.
According to information published Friday, former chief of staff Adam Jentleson expressed worry in an email last year to a medical professional who had overseen Fetterman's care at Walter Reed Medical Center. Jentleson reportedly wrote that he believed the senator was on a "bad trajectory."
The email detailed concerns ranging from daily fast-food consumption to doubts about whether Fetterman was consistently taking prescribed medications. Jentleson also reportedly noted potential signs such as "conspiratorial thinking" and "megalomania," citing instances where Fetterman claimed extensive knowledge on certain subjects without relying on staff briefings or memos.
Additional reported concerns included alleged reckless driving and the purchase of a firearm. Staffers reportedly refused to ride in a car with Fetterman due to his driving habits.
The reports suggest that individuals intended to support Fetterman's recovery plan have departed, leading to isolation and damaged personal relationships. The turmoil in his office has seen the departure of close advisers, including top spokespeople, the legislative director, and Jentleson himself. Reports detail issues surrounding Senator Fetterman.
Following a stroke in 2022 and subsequent treatment for clinical depression in early 2023, staff concerns reportedly grew in the fall of that year, coinciding with Fetterman's strong stance supporting Israel after the October 7 attack. This position marked a shift from his previously progressive alignment. Can John Fetterman Continue in the Senate?
Reports include accounts of Fetterman walking into a road and nearly being hit by a car at one event in February 2023 and later walking into a group of people near Senate offices. These incidents reportedly prompted staff intervention and medical evaluation for dehydration.
Additionally, accounts describe days when staffers reportedly avoided letting outside visitors interact with Fetterman due to fears he might say inappropriate things. His significant use of social media was also highlighted as a potential exacerbating factor.
Fetterman's public statements have drawn scrutiny, particularly remarks attributed to a meeting with a pro-Israel group president in February, where notes reportedly quoted him saying "Let's get back to killing" in reference to Gaza and "You can't reform a carton of sour milk" regarding Palestinians. Fetterman has denied these accounts, stating any reference to killing was solely about Hamas.
"I believed in John’s ability to work through struggles that lots of Americans share," Jentleson was quoted saying. "Part of the tragedy here is that this is a man who could be leading Democrats out of the wilderness.”