The current era of DC politics includes a fair amount of name-calling in both directions, but Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) took things a bit further than expected with his emphatic defense of a Democratic colleague.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has faced increased scrutiny from his own side of the aisle amid concerns about his mental and physical health — not to mention his penchant for siding with Republicans on a number of hot-button issues.
During a recent interview, Moreno sounded off on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) by comparing him unfavorably to the Pennsylvania Democrat.
According to the Daily Caller:
“Chuck Schumer is a drooling moron compared to John Fetterman,” Moreno said, according to the New York Times. Moreno also called Fetterman a “really, really cool dude.”
Fetterman has lately aligned himself more with Republicans on issues, including his support for Israel after the October 7 Hamas attack.
Fetterman’s unique political realignment has sparked significant social media attention:
🚨 Sen. John Fetterman is under MASSIVE ATTACK from his own party. Why? Because he dared to work with Republicans on border security and support Israel.
But he's not the first…🧵 pic.twitter.com/KGM5aX8mfg
— Rod D. Martin (@RodDMartin) May 13, 2025
Fetterman praises Trump and his undeniable political talent. Discusses the attempt on his life and also says he wouldn’t use the word fascist to describe him.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he votes for some of Trump’s cabinet nominations. pic.twitter.com/YVHZf8aEZz
— Insurrection Barbie (@DefiyantlyFree) December 22, 2024
BREAKING: Democratic Senator John Fetterman announces that he will vote for the Republican Continuing Resolution Spending Bill.
This is HUGE. pic.twitter.com/TlVHHz54Xe
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) March 13, 2025
Earlier this month, Axios reported on a wave of GOP support for Fetterman:
Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) was first to publicly push back, calling to “stop these vicious, personal attacks against Senator Fetterman, his wife, and his health.”
“He is authentic, decent, principled, and a fighter. These disgraceful smears against him are not the John that I know and respect,” McCormick wrote in an X post on Friday.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), chair of the Senate GOP conference, called Fetterman a “decent and genuine guy.”
ADVERTISEMENT“The radical left is smearing him with dishonest, vicious attacks because he’s pro-Israel and they only want reliable anti-Israel politicians,” Cotton said.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) posted: “The media ought to lay off Senator Fetterman.”
Fetterman also courted controversy among Democrats for agreeing to a pre-inauguration meeting with President Donald Trump:
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