Philadelphia Senator John Fetterman made a virtual appearance at the Republican National Committee’s first-ever midterm convention this week, sharing a video praising President Donald Trump and fellow Pennsylvania senator David McCormick.
Adam Jentleson, Fetterman’s former chief of staff from 2022 to 2024, described the senator’s appearance as an attempt to gain attention rather than foster bipartisanship. In a recent interview, Jentleson stated he was “not surprised” by the move.
Jentleson criticized Fetterman’s work ethic, saying the senator has become focused on high-profile gestures to avoid fulfilling his duties as a U.S. Senator. “This is somebody who has stopped actually doing the job of being a senator and instead is just seeking opportunities to put himself front and center,” Jentleson said.
The former chief of staff also highlighted recent incidents involving Fetterman, including reports that he declined meetings with three wheelchair-bound veterans who traveled to his office. According to those accounts, Fetterman later told aides he had skipped the meeting to appear on Fox News discussing the conflict in Iran.
Jentleson noted that such behavior aligns with what he observed during his time working for Fetterman and has raised concerns about the senator’s mental health following a near-fatal stroke several months prior. “They struck me as very accurate,” Jentleson said, referring to reports of Fetterman’s conduct.
