Fetterman Endorses McCormick
Democratic Senator John Fetterman Appears in Video to Endorse Republican Dave McCormick
Anonymous
Key Points
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Fetterman and McCormick had already formed a joint fundraising committee earlier in the summer, a move that prompted criticism from Democrats.
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The steel-industry reference came amid the Trump administration’s approval of Nippon Steel’s acquisition of Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel. Trump argued the deal would bring tens of billions of dollars in new investment and give the federal government a “golden share” in the company.
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Fetterman was the first Senate Democrat to meet with Trump at his Palm Beach residence after Trump won the 2024 election, saying that no one was his “gatekeeper” when it came to speaking with the president.
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The convention audience’s reaction to Fetterman’s video was initially muted, with only a few attendees cheering, before applause grew when he finished and introduced McCormick. Former aide Trè Easton called the appearance “really stunning,” while another former aide described it as “pathetic.”
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Fetterman has been the only Democrat to vote against every Senate war-powers resolution seeking to force Trump to end the Iran war, and he voted with Trump’s position 28% of the time in the previous year—the highest rate among Senate Democrats, according to VoteHub.
Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman surprised Republicans by appearing in a prerecorded video at the Republican National Committee's midterm convention, introducing and endorsing fellow Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick. The Gateway Pundit reported that Fetterman called himself a "common-sense Democrat" and rejected socialism and political extremes. He said he would work with President Donald Trump and McCormick to defend Pennsylvania's steel industry, a move that drew immediate criticism from former aides and intensified speculation about his political future.
The appearance underscores Fetterman's growing breaks with the Democratic Party. Yahoo News noted he has become increasingly isolated from his own party. Fetterman has already formed a joint fundraising committee with McCormick and voted with Trump's position 28% of the time last year—the highest rate among Senate Democrats. He said he does not currently plan to switch parties unless Democrats formally become anti-Israel.
Steel Industry and Trump's U.S. Steel Deal
Fetterman's endorsement highlighted Pennsylvania's steel industry, which remains economically vital to the state. The Trump administration recently approved Nippon Steel's acquisition of Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel. Red State reported that Trump argued the deal would bring tens of billions in new investment and give the federal government a "golden share" in the company. Fetterman's messaging tied his support directly to this major industrial policy.
Fetterman's Pattern of Breaking With Democrats
Fetterman has been the only Democrat to vote against every Senate war-powers resolution seeking to force Trump to end the Iran war. He was also the first Senate Democrat to meet with Trump at his Palm Beach residence after the 2024 election. Fetterman said that no one was his "gatekeeper" when it came to speaking with the president. These moves have signaled his willingness to operate independently from Democratic leadership.
Muted Reception and Democratic Backlash
The convention audience initially reacted with little enthusiasm to Fetterman's video. The Blaze reported that only a few attendees cheered at first, though applause grew when he finished and introduced McCormick. Former aide Trè Easton called the appearance "really stunning," while another former aide described it as "pathetic." The mixed reaction and internal criticism highlight deep tensions within the Democratic Party over Fetterman's trajectory.
Trump and Cohen: Pardon Talk Amid Trial Conflict
Separately, President Trump said he would consider pardoning Michael Cohen, his former lawyer who testified against him in the Manhattan hush-money case. Cohen has said he felt pressured by prosecutors, though he has not retracted his testimony. The pardon consideration adds another layer to Trump's post-election positioning and his willingness to reconcile with former critics or adversaries.
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