'Dumb joke': Fetterman waves off his cruel texts about poor people

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has long aroused controversy for cozying up to Republicans, so much so that some Democrats worry he is going to switchparties. Yet as a new report reveals that Fetterman snubbed some of his most vulnerable constituents, the embattled lawmaker is now striking back — by dismissing at least one of his controversial texts as a "dumb joke."

"In one text message from last September, The Journal reported, Fetterman asked his staff why he had to “keep having to meet” with officials from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, known as CHOP," wrote CNN's Manu Raju on Sunday. "'Because they’re worried about Medicaid cuts,' the aide said. Fetterman responded: 'Well, I’m not.'"

Raju added, "In the statement to CNN, Fetterman called that comment a 'dumb joke, and for that, I sincerely apologize.'"

That was not the end of Fetterman's excuses.

"But the senator added that he’s met with the Philadelphia hospital officials 'virtually and in person,' pointing to a photo he posted on X," Raju wrote. "'My office and I always have, and always will, advocate for CHOP, support their requests and any other needs that we can assist with,' he said."

Raju continued, "The Journal report also revealed that Fetterman skipped a funeral for three police officers killed near his hometown of York last September, citing a text message in which the senator griped at the service’s three-hour length.

'This may be a nonstarter,' Fetterman wrote in the text, according to The Journal. In the statement to CNN, Fetterman said he took steps to express his condolences and meet with the family members affected. 'On the day of that tragedy, we privately ordered flowers to be delivered for their families and expressed my condolences publicly,' he said, citing a post on X expressing his grief. 'In June of this year, I privately attended a Tunnel to Towers fundraiser in York for the families. I met with their chief and the family members directly to express my personal condolences.'"

CNN added that Fetterman has previously dismissed unflattering descriptions of his behavior as being motivated by grudges.

"Last year, New York Magazine reported on a 2024 letter from Adam Jentleson, who had served as Fetterman’s chief of staff, raising concerns over his behavior and mental health. The senator was hospitalized for depression in 2023 for about six weeks and has been open about receiving treatment," Raju wrote. "At the time, Fetterman had a similar response, telling CNN in May 2025 that the story cited 'disgruntled staffers' with a 'weird grudge.'"