Several observers were stunned by Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. John Fetterman’s halting opening statement on Wednesday, following his return to the Senate following a protracted hospitalization for clinical depression that began in February.
Fetterman resumed his position as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research after suffering a stroke last May while campaigning.
Following an extended hospital stay, online users reacted to a clip of Fetterman’s introductory remarks, which were described as choppy.
Jewels Jones, a podcaster, described the footage as “terrifying,” whereas Harrison Fields, the communications director for Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, made a joke about Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s reaction to the clip.
.@SenFeinstein right now. https://t.co/sMShJp0JvP pic.twitter.com/abJpV8D40j
— Harrison Fields (@HarrisonWFields) April 19, 2023
“Remember when they scolded you for criticizing a man with a ‘disability’ during his campaign?” reporter Breanna Morelo noted online. “Well—here he is attempting to do his job after coming back from a 2 month vacation…”
The reporter Savannah Hernandez stated on Twitter that she has “heard second graders with better reading abilities than this.”
“This is just sad,” Hernandez continued.
“John Fetterman is chairing a senate subcommittee and this was his opening statement. Good lord. This dude is not remotely well or able to do this job. Embarrassing for Pennsylvania,” Outkick’s Clay Travis noted.
Joe Calvello, a spokesperson for Fetterman, told Fox News Digital, “a sad but true fact of life that some people seem to get their jollies attacking John for the auditory processing issues resulting from his stroke but they’re just shouting into the wind.”
“Republicans already tried emptying the arsenal attacking John’s health and Pennsylvanians had his back in a big way,” Calvello said. “As a senator, John is fighting for forgotten communities and all of the people of Pennsylvania, regardless of their social media habits.”
Monday afternoon, Fetterman returned to Congress, but video and photographs of his appearance soon went viral, causing Republicans to express new concerns.
The Pennsylvania Democrat appeared in a black hoodie and slacks following six weeks of clinical depression treatment.
Fox News reported that the senator declined to address any questions from the press as he entered the Capitol on one of his few visits since assuming office in January.
“It’s great to be back. Thank you,” he repeatedly said as he walked into the building.
Democrat Senator John Fetterman refuses to take questions as he returns to the Capitol for the first time since mid-February pic.twitter.com/JyTRQ1sIKe
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 17, 2023
Numerous conservatives responded to Fetterman’s appearance and arrival.
“Welcome back to John Fetterman, further proof that cognition, speech comprehension, emotional balance, and even showing up for work are no longer necessary for a career in Democrat politics!” Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk noted.
More on this story via Conservative Brief:
“How could anyone take the calls for @SenFeinstein to step down seriously when the DEMs spend more than a year excusing the deteriorating health of @JohnFetterman? If you supported Fetterman running for Senate or didn’t raise concerns about his health, please take several seats,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) added. CONTINUE READING…
