by HARRISBURG, Pa. — Concerns about Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman’s mental health have deepened after a troubling outburst during a recent meeting with teachers union officials.
The incident, which occurred at Fetterman’s Washington, D.C. office, reportedly turned chaotic. According to sources briefed on the meeting, the senator began shouting, repeating himself, slamming his hands on the desk, and asking, “Why does everyone hate me? What did I ever do?”
A distressed staff member ended the meeting and escorted the union representatives out. She broke down in tears, prompting the teachers to console her. Two individuals familiar with the meeting confirmed the account to the Associated Press, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussion.
This unsettling interaction came just one day before New York Magazine published a bombshell report. Former aides, including Fetterman’s ex-chief of staff Adam Jentleson, expressed concerns over the senator’s mental fitness and compliance with his recovery plan.
Mental Health, Stroke Recovery, and Isolation
Fetterman, who suffered a life-threatening stroke in 2022, has openly discussed his struggles with depression. In early 2023, he spent six weeks at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and an auditory processing disorder, he has urged others to seek help for mental health challenges.
However, the 2024 letter from Jentleson to neuropsychiatrist Dr. David Williamson painted a worrying picture. Jentleson said the senator had distanced himself from his care team, possibly stopped taking medications, and exhibited erratic behavior, including paranoia and reckless driving.
“He’s dismantled the early-warning system we agreed on,” wrote Jentleson. “He’s pushed away everyone tasked with helping him.”
When asked about the union meeting, Fetterman’s office described it as a “spirited conversation” centered around frustrations with the Trump administration’s education policies. He emphasized his support for public schools and opposition to voucher programs.
A Divisive Figure in the Senate
Sen. Fetterman has long stood out in Washington politics. From his beginnings as mayor of Braddock to becoming a U.S. Senator in 2022, his unfiltered style, tattoos, and hoodie-clad presence made him a populist icon.
But recently, Fetterman’s alliances have shifted. He’s drawn criticism from fellow Democrats for cooperating with former President Donald Trump and for supporting Israel during its war in Gaza — stances that distanced him from his party’s progressive wing.
In recent months, the senator has cut an increasingly isolated figure in Congress, despite previously showing signs of recovery and engagement.
Public Concern and Political Fallout
In response to the New York Magazine report, Fetterman dismissed the criticism as “a hit piece” driven by grudges and anonymous sources. “They’re not actually concerned,” he told a Senate hallway reporter.
Still, Pennsylvania Democrats say the public is worried.
“People are concerned about his health,” said Sharif Street, chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. “They care about him. There’s a lot of love out there.”
Though some conservatives and even comedian Bill Maher have voiced support for Fetterman, suggesting a possible 2028 presidential run, many of his past supporters remain skeptical of his recent behavior and shifting loyalties.
As Fetterman enters his third year in the Senate, questions about his ability to serve continue to mount.
