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- calendar_today October 12, 2026
Trump Encourages Fetterman to Switch Parties
President Donald Trump recently stated that he would “love to see” Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, become a Republican. Trump spoke about Fetterman while addressing the media outside Joint Base Andrews in Camp Springs, Maryland, on Saturday. He described the senator as a "solid person" and expressed that Fetterman would be welcomed in the Republican Party.
Support Amid Democratic Criticism
Senator Fetterman has faced increasing scrutiny from members of his own party for his legislative record since being elected in 2023. He has been criticized for missing committee meetings and aligning with Republican stances on several key issues. Despite being a Democrat, Fetterman’s approval rating among Democratic voters has declined.
Polls Show Shifting Approval Ratings
Recent polling highlights the shift in opinion regarding Fetterman’s performance. A Quinnipiac University poll found that only 13% of Democratic voters in Pennsylvania hold a favorable view of Fetterman. In contrast, 72% of Republican voters reported a favorable opinion. Additional polling from the New York Times, Inquirer, and Siena showed that Fetterman’s favorability was higher among self-identified Republicans (79%) compared to Democrats (20%).
Committee Attendance and Voting Record
Fetterman’s committee attendance has also drawn attention. According to an Inquirer analysis, he attended just 16% of his assigned committee and subcommittee meetings during the current session of Congress. The same analysis noted a trend of Fetterman breaking with the Democratic Party more than any other member of the Senate caucus. From 2023 to 2024, he voted with Democrats on nearly 99% of votes that received majority party support. However, after Trump took office, this figure dropped to 80% in 2025 and less than 78% in 2026.
Personal and Political Tensions
A September report from the Wall Street Journal described Fetterman as showing little interest in his Senate duties, frequently declining meetings with constituents and expressing frustration towards Democratic leadership. The report claimed Fetterman has increasingly shifted focus toward conservative positions and has been a strong advocate for Israel.
Fetterman Responds to Party Switch Speculation
Fetterman has publicly addressed speculation about a potential party switch. In May, he published an op-ed in the Washington Post stating he would make a "terrible Republican" and has denied intentions to leave the Democratic Party. However, he has acknowledged the lack of support from his party and stated that getting the Democratic nomination for re-election would be challenging. Notably, Fetterman recently recorded a video played at a GOP convention in Dallas, where he pledged to work with Trump and to oppose what he termed “the extremes and socialism.”
Looking Ahead to 2028
Senator Fetterman’s plans for re-election in 2028 remain unannounced. Representatives from Fetterman’s office did not respond to requests for comment regarding Trump's remarks about a possible party switch.
Source: phillyvoice.com.
