Senator Faces Backlash Over Israel Support

Just two years ago, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania stood as a symbol of grit, recovery, and progressive promise. Today, that image is cracking—under the weight of serious health concerns, internal disillusionment, and a rapidly changing political reality that has left him increasingly isolated.

A New York Magazine exposé titled “All By Himself” has reignited scrutiny around Fetterman’s post-stroke condition, detailing accounts from former and current staffers who say they no longer recognize the man they once believed in. The report outlines moments of confusion, erratic behavior, and internal frustrations that suggest Fetterman may be struggling far more than his public appearances imply.

As someone who has recently interviewed him: Fetterman’s comprehension is not at all impaired. He understands everything, it’s just that he reads it (which requires extra acuity, I’d argue) and responds in real time. It’s a hearing/auditory processing challenge. https://t.co/RzmyfBDJX6

— Rebecca Traister (@rtraister) October 12, 2022

Once the darling of the left, Fetterman’s political arc has taken a jarring turn. His vocal, unwavering support for Israel following Hamas’s October 7 attacks earned him praise from moderates—and even some conservatives—but it alienated a powerful portion of the progressive base. The far-left, already on edge, now sees Fetterman as out of step with their values, especially in a moment when pro-Palestinian activism has become a litmus test for ideological purity.

Critics argue that the Intelligencer piece is a veiled backlash to Fetterman’s Middle East stance. They point out that the same media figures who once passionately defended him during the 2022 campaign—brushing off concerns about his cognitive fitness—are now amplifying claims that his condition may disqualify him from office. Kara Swisher, who once derided NBC’s Dasha Burns for raising red flags, praised the Intelligencer piece as “fair and empathetic.” Rebecca Traister, who once lauded his recovery as “striking,” is now amplifying stories of dysfunction in his Senate office and strain in his marriage.

This email, a year ago, from Fetterman’s former chief of staff, and this entire piece from Ben Terris, makes clear that Fetterman should not be serving in the Senate.
Every Senate Democrat should read this and be asked about it – especially Schumer. pic.twitter.com/cBViBXRZop

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) May 2, 2025

The pivot is not subtle. MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, who once brushed off health questions as “gross,” called the new revelations “profoundly unnerving.” Contributors like Rotimi Adeoye, who once cheered Fetterman’s victory as a win for the nation, are now calling for his resignation—only to delete their earlier praise.

Even Mehdi Hasan, who in 2022 dismissed health-based criticisms as ableist attacks, is now citing staff emails suggesting Fetterman should never have been seated in the Senate. He demands Democratic leadership reckon with the situation.

Well worth a read. Not every person is fit to do every job, and someone with serious mental health challenges who may not be complying with a treatment plan probably shouldn’t be in congress https://t.co/NZQnJORXIf

— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) May 3, 2025

The reversal has left many observers questioning whether political loyalty in modern politics has any shelf life beyond the next headline. Fetterman’s health challenges, once framed as inspiring, are now being recast as liabilities. His driving accident, once dismissed, is now invoked as evidence of recklessness. His honesty and gruff authenticity, which once earned him a cult following, are now overshadowed by doubts about his stability and capacity.

And yet, the timing is telling. For some, it’s hard to ignore that the shift in media tone coincided directly with Fetterman’s unapologetic stance on Israel—an issue that has fractured the Democratic Party and ignited generational divides among the electorate.

Senator Fetterman routinely drives so recklessly he nearly killed his wife in a car crash https://t.co/q4XhaSTOvX pic.twitter.com/PHXInmXDnX

— Armand Domalewski (@ArmandDoma) May 2, 2025