John Fetterman says left-wing critics send him the most 'poisonous' hate: 'Cheering for a stroke'

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator John Fetterman isn’t holding back his thoughts about the left. The Pennsylvania Democrat, who has been in the headlines recently, grabbed attention again during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash while discussing his book 'Unfettered.'

Fetterman talked about the extreme hate messages he describes in his book, saying he has faced more hostility from people on his own side, the left and fellow Democrats, than from the right. He didn’t shy away from saying that some in his party even “wished him dead.”

The stroke survivor also pointed out a disturbing GIF shared by some left-leaning critics that mocked his stroke.

John Fetterman opens up about hate messages from the left

John Fetterman discussed his book 'Unfettered,' his battle with mental health, and his views on the political left during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash.

Fetterman compared the right and the left, saying, “The right might use nasty names, but on the left, it’s darker. They say things like, ‘We’re cheering for your next stroke,’ or ‘Why couldn’t the depression win?’ or even, ‘I hope your kids find you dead.’”

At one point, Bash read a quote from his book: “‘I’ve drunk deeply of the venom of both the left and the right,’” she read. “‘And as a connoisseur, I can confirm that the most poisonous, the bitterest, is from the far left.’”

“That is pretty remarkable to hear you say as an elected Democrat. Why?” Bash asked. Fetterman responded, “It’s just been my personal experience. When I asked my digital team which platform has the harshest and most personal comments, the answer came immediately, BlueSky.” 

Fetterman also shared messages from left-leaning critics who were angry that doctors had saved his life after his 2022 stroke.

“I mean just really, I just can’t imagine, people are wishing, ‘I wish you’d die’ or ‘I want him to die,’ you know, literally cheering for a stroke,” Fetterman said. “And I don’t know what kind of a place where that comes from. That’s much different than just calling me a name,” he shared.

For those unfamiliar, BlueSky is a social media platform similar to X (formerly Twitter) and is widely viewed as a space for Democrats and progressives.

John Fetterman talks about his mental health and public service

The 56-year-old senator has opened up about his mental health journey in his new book, hoping to encourage others who may be facing their own challenges. In Unfettered, Fetterman reflects on his experiences from the campaign trail and beyond.

For those who may not know, Fetterman is one of eight Democrats and Democrat-aligned independents who voted to reopen the government without tying the vote to extending Obamacare subsidies past this year. “It’s always a hard yes to keep our government open,” he said. “I mean, that’s my principle, because it’s wrong to shut our government down.”