I have no illusions about John Fetterman. I never bought into the fantasy that he might switch parties; it never made sense. And I’ve never mistaken his occasional criticism of fellow Democrats or his support for Israel as proof he’s suddenly seen the light. Still, in today’s hyper-scripted political climate, there’s something undeniably instructive about Pennsylvania’s six-foot-eight, tattooed, hoodie-clad senator. Like it or not, Fetterman is rewriting the rules of political engagement for his party, and it really should take note.
While many Democrats lurk in the shadows of party leadership, regurgitating the same stale talking points, Fetterman barrels through the Senate, calling out the party’s left wing when its rhetoric grows toxic or hopelessly out of touch. When the activist base tries to yank the party even further off the rails, Fetterman stands firm and tells them exactly why that’s a losing strategy. If only more Democrats had the guts to do the same, everything would be better.
Sadly, most are not, and now we’re in a constant struggle against the radical base that is slowly getting more influential.
You don’t see Fetterman putting on airs or pretending to be a slick operator, either. He’s not about performative virtue signals or finessing his way through tough questions. Just months after taking office, Fetterman dealt openly with health challenges, depression, and personal setbacks, then roared back onto the political stage, sharper than ever and unbowed by the wolves howling at his door. He knows who he is and won’t just spew the party line 100% of the time.
He’ll even admit when Donald Trump is right.
Last week, when asked directly by a Fox News reporter whether he believes Trump is winning the trade war, Fetterman didn’t hesitate. “Uh, I mean a—a—absolutely,” he said. “I, I, I th— well, I think that, I mean, obviously what happened with the EU…”
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Fetterman went on to cite liberal commentator Bill Maher as a bellwether for his own party’s shifting tone on trade. “I’m a huge fan of Bill Maher, and I mean, I think he’s really one of the oracles for my party,” Fetterman said. “And he acknowledges, like, hey, he thought that the tariffs were gonna tank the economy, and— and he— he acknowledged that it didn’t.”
On the broader outlook, Fetterman struck a cautious but notably optimistic note. “So, I mean, so for— for— for me, it’s like, um… I mean, again, it seems like the EU thing has been going well, and, and I guess we’ll see how it happens with China.”
WATCH: Democrat Senator @JohnFetterman says @realDonaldTrump’s trade war is “going well,” admitting that his party got it wrong on the president’s trade policy. pic.twitter.com/xQ7EgVsw7y
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 2, 2025
For a Democrat to openly acknowledge that Trump’s economic strategy hasn’t failed and may in fact be succeeding is almost unheard of in today’s political climate. It’s no wonder that Fetterman has developed a knack for rattling some of his Democratic peers, especially as he’s mapped out his own course on the Senate floor.
His vocal support for Israel, his willingness to back stricter border policies, and his open hand to president-elect Trump, whom he once called a “felon” on the campaign trail, have sent many progressive heads spinning. Fetterman sits with Trump, talks policy, and even finds common ground with the GOP, not because he’s planning a party switch, but because he’s alert to the realities on the ground. Party lines? Fetterman wipes his boots on them, then goes to work for the Pennsylvanians who put him in office.
Sure, he’s being pragmatic because he knows his state is shifting to the right, and he’ll want to get reelected in a few years. Still, your typical red-state Democrat senator won’t even stray that far from the party line, especially this far out from when he’s up for reelection.
So why can’t more Democrats be like John Fetterman?
I never thought I’d be asking such a question, but here I am. And there’s a good reason.
Because, frankly, too many Democrats care more about what the party leaders, activists, and consultants think than what the voters want and need. If more Democrats care so much, they’d be a better party.
