John Fetterman blasts Democrats for running campaign on anti-Trump rhetoric: 'It's absurd'

WASHINGTON, DC: John Fetterman is not preparing to jump ship to the Republican Party, but his patience with the Democrats’ campaign strategy appears to be wearing thin.

The 56-year-old Pennsylvania senator further broke ranks with his fellow Democrats, ripping into the party for relying too heavily on anti-Trump rhetoric and urging a shift toward a more constructive approach.

"My colleagues, and people that are running, whether for the Senate or the House, they're literally running on f--- Trump," Fetterman said on the latest episode of "Real Time with Bill Maher."

"They have campaign commercials [with that message]. It's absurd..." he added.

John Fetterman says he is punished ‘for finding value in certain views’

Fetterman, who recently shot down rumours of eyeing a switch to the GOP, said he refuses to engage in “extreme terms” and highlighted that he “has been punished” for acknowledging value in certain opposing viewpoints.

He presented his remarks as part of a broader criticism of partisan campaign tactics ahead of the crucial midterm elections.

John Fetterman did not directly defend Donald Trump, but argued that campaigns built mainly around opposing him could lead people to reject potentially valid ideas simply because they come from the President’s side.

"Like the ballroom... I don't care about the ballroom," he said, referring to the proposed White House space that the left has vehemently resisted.

"I don't either... It's so stupid," Maher chimed in, adding "We saw a couple of weeks ago with the assassination attempt [at the WHCA Dinner], America probably does need [a ballroom]."

Fetterman says he feels ‘lonely’ as moderate democrat

At one point, Fetterman, who has increasingly carved out a reputation as an independent voice within the Democratic Party, pushed back against plans to switch political affiliations, even as he says he feels increasingly “lonely” in his party.

“I’m a committed Democrat,” he said before stating that “I thought we were supposed to be a big tent party. I’m not really sure how I have become an issue for any of the Democrats, just having some different views on these other issues.”

The Senator also highlighted the Democratic Party’s declining support among young men due to their growing ‘anti-men’ sentiments.

“Part of the Democratic Party became more and more anti-men, or describing that they were part of the problem, or they have toxic traits and for those things, and that’s why there’s been such a migration away from the Democratic Party, from young men,” he said.