Fetterman fires back over veterans snub with 3 words: 'Was throwing up'

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen John Fetterman has responded to allegations from former aides who accused him of avoiding constituents and prioritizing television appearances, offering explanations for three incidents that recently drew scrutiny.

The Pennsylvania Democrat dismissed the allegations as “lies, half-truths, innuendos, and smears,” telling CNN in a report published on Sunday, September 6, that former staffers had stripped important context from several incidents reported by The Wall Street Journal. 

Fetterman addressed a remark involving Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, his absence from a funeral for three killed police officers and a missed meeting with paralyzed veterans before a later Fox News appearance.

Hospital comment was a 'dumb joke'

One allegation centered on meetings involving officials from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, who were reportedly concerned about vaccines and Medicaid cuts.

According to an aide, Fetterman responded to those concerns by saying, “Well, I'm not.”

Fetterman told CNN the remark was intended as a joke and apologized for making it.

“It was a dumb joke, and for that, I sincerely apologize,” he said.

The comment had become one of several examples cited by former staffers who questioned Fetterman's engagement with constituents and outside groups.

Flowers followed officers' tragic deaths

Fetterman also addressed reports that he skipped the funeral of three police officers who were killed near his hometown and allegedly complained about the length of the service.

The senator did not directly address the reported complaint about the funeral. 

Instead, he said his office had privately arranged flowers for the officers' families and that he publicly expressed his condolences.

“On the day of that tragedy, we privately ordered flowers to be delivered for their families and expressed my condolences publicly,” Fetterman said, referring to a social media post.

The deaths had prompted an outpouring of grief in Pennsylvania, while questions over Fetterman's absence later became part of broader criticism from former aides.

Fetterman says he was sick at home

The senator's most direct response came over allegations that he skipped a meeting with three paralyzed veterans after saying he was unwell, before later appearing on Fox News.

Fetterman said he had been sick when the meeting was scheduled and asked his staff to continue without him. 

“I was at home throwing up, so I asked my staff to continue with the meeting, which they did,” he said. “Hours later, I felt well enough to continue the day as scheduled.”

Former aides had pointed to the sequence as an example of what they described as Fetterman's preference for television appearances over meetings with constituents.

Fetterman rejected that characterization and said he remained focused on representing Pennsylvania despite the criticism.