Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has reportedly displayed troubling behavior in the aftermath of a prolonged mental health battle that has raised concern among those who previously worked closely with him, according to a lengthy profile published by New York Magazine.
Since winning in 2022, John Fetterman has lost his closest advisers, including three of his top spokespeople, his legislative director, and his chief of staff.
Former and current staffers paint a picture of an erratic senator who has become almost impossible to work for, and… pic.twitter.com/0p91zEdTSq
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) May 2, 2025
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Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in 2022 during his Senate campaign and later checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in March 2023 for clinical depression treatment, has reportedly shown signs of ongoing instability not publicly disclosed.
The article, based on interviews with Fetterman himself and several former staffers and associates, details erratic behavior that sources say has affected both his personal relationships and professional obligations.
Adam Jentleson, Fetterman’s former chief of staff, resigned one year after the senator’s release from Walter Reed.
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In the article, Jentleson cites serious concerns over Fetterman’s behavior, including a failure to take prescribed medication regularly, what he called “conspiratorial thinking,” reckless driving, and repeated dishonesty.
He also alleged that Fetterman frequently avoided medical check-ups and consultations.
“Part of the tragedy here is that this is a man who could be leading Democrats out of the wilderness,” Jentleson told the magazine.
“But I also think he’s struggling in a way that shouldn’t be hidden from the public.”
Sen. Fetterman has publicly disputed the article’s claims and rejected much of the reporting as unfounded. His office did not immediately respond to further inquiries.
According to New York Magazine, several key staffers have departed Fetterman’s office since his hospitalization, with more resignations reportedly anticipated.
Sources cited in the article claimed that current and former aides have at times described the senator’s behavior using words like “manic” and “unhinged.”
The piece highlights one incident in February 2023, just weeks before Fetterman sought inpatient care, in which he reportedly remained isolated during a Senate retreat and later walked into the street, narrowly avoiding an oncoming vehicle.
Staff reportedly grew concerned about his mental state and, on some days, allegedly barred outsiders from meeting with him, fearing he might say something inappropriate or offensive to constituents or visitors.
One former staff member told New York Magazine there were occasions when aides tried to shield Fetterman from public interactions out of concern that he would say “really fed-up sh*t to constituents.”
Fetterman’s reported difficulties have also extended to his home life. According to the article, tensions reportedly emerged between the senator and his wife, Gisele, particularly over political disagreements.
One cited example involved Fetterman’s strong support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas, a position reportedly at odds with his wife’s views.
A separate incident reportedly took place around the confirmation vote for Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense.
Though most Democrats opposed Hegseth’s nomination, Fetterman allegedly considered supporting him after a one-on-one meeting.
In the lead-up to the vote, New York Magazine reports that Fetterman locked himself in his office, cried, argued with his wife, and made repeated FaceTime calls to staff before ultimately voting against the nomination.
When asked directly by the magazine about his condition and the concerns raised, Fetterman responded, “No, everything’s great. Everything’s great. I don’t know what you’re referencing.”
The senator’s public appearances and political statements in recent months have drawn national attention, with his mental health and recovery remaining a subject of interest as he continues to serve his first term in the U.S. Senate.
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Where were these voices, warning us that he was unhinged and manic, before Fetterman became Senator? What’s the point of bringing up their narratives now unless they are trying to smear him because they found out he supports Israel’s right to exist? These reports are not informative, they are character assassination. The fact that Fetterman considering voting for confirmation of Pete Hegseth as SecDef after a one-on-one meeting is described as ‘unhinged behavior’ says a lot about the motives behind John Fetterman being ‘cancelled’ by his own Party. Did anyone stop to think that as Mr. Fetterman recovers, his thinking improves?
Here’s what I gleaned from the article: the Democrats have become uneasy about Sen. Fetterman because they increasingly find him hard to predict or control.
Funny, that’s the very thing that I find interesting about him.
Control…democrats are predictable..fetterman wont sell out to their game plan
This behavior seems to be describing most of the democrat leadership.
the ignorant demonrats even spit on their own people. fettermans stroke made him a better man.
Yes, it’s very interesting that a man most people consider the most sane Democratic Senator,
is being attacked now that he is pro Israel and considered Pete Hegseth acceptable.
BS much?
Shame i abhor democrats..hes the one guy began to make sense.hope he makes it back on track.take your meds..if it aint the right one go back to doc til you get it right