John Fetterman says ‘dirtbag left’ should form its own party after recent election victories

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has once again distanced himself from the Democratic Party's progressive wing, arguing that members of what he called the "dirtbag left" no longer belong under the Democratic banner.

Speaking during an interview at the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize event, Fetterman said the recent victories of Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates reflected the rise of a political movement he believes is fundamentally different from mainstream Democrats.

John Fetterman says Democratic Socialists should form their own party

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday during the Mark Twain Prize event, Fetterman did not hold back while discussing the recent election results.

"And in like it. It was a really it was a really big night for the dirtbag left. You know, last week, without a doubt," he said.

The senator argued that some of the views expressed by the movement were incompatible with the values of the Democratic Party.

"You know, some of the crazy things that they've said. You know, like clearly anti-America, you know, anti Western civilization," Fetterman continued.

He also claimed that one of the candidates had previously been associated with groups that wanted to end Western civilization.

For Fetterman, the issue goes beyond policy disagreements. He suggested that these candidates represent an entirely separate political movement.

"So, overall, that is a wing of the party without a doubt. But they're not Democrats," he said.

Senator says some candidates identify as communists

Fetterman went on to draw a distinction between Democratic Socialists and what he considers traditional Democrats.

"They're not socialists, several of them, many of them are actually avowed communists," he said while discussing the recent primary winners.

Referring to Graham Platner in Maine and other successful candidates in New York, Fetterman argued they should stop trying to operate under the Democratic Party's umbrella.

"So between... Graham Platner in Maine and some of the other winners, you know, in New York, that's, you know, they should form their own party and run on all the things that they've had to do on social media," he said.

The comments mark another instance of Fetterman publicly breaking with the party's more progressive voices, particularly those aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America.

Remarks come during Bill Maher's Mark Twain Prize event

Fetterman's comments were made while attending the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony at the Kennedy Center.

The event honored comedian and HBO's ‘Real Time’ host Bill Maher, who received this year's Mark Twain Prize in front of a star-studded audience.

Although the occasion celebrated comedy, Fetterman's interview quickly shifted to politics as he reflected on the recent election results and the growing influence of Democratic Socialist candidates.

His remarks focused almost entirely on the direction of the Democratic Party following those primary victories.

While acknowledging that the movement has become increasingly visible, he made it clear he does not believe its members belong within the Democratic Party.

Instead, Fetterman argued they should establish a separate political party and campaign openly on the ideas they have promoted publicly.