September 10, 2026 – Adam Jentleson, John Fetterman’s former chief of staff from 2022 to 2024, stated he was not surprised by the senator’s recent virtual appearance at the Republican National Committee’s first-ever midterm convention. Jentleson characterized Fetterman as attention-seeking and criticized his apparent disinterest in Senate responsibilities.
Fetterman made a virtual cameo at the Dallas event, sharing a video praising President Donald Trump and Republican colleague Senator David McCormick (R-PA), actions that have raised concerns about potential party switching.
Jentleson told CNN’s New Central: “I was not surprised. Sen. Fetterman has reached a point where he’s just trying to get the most attention for the least amount of work.”
He further noted that Fetterman has stopped doing his job as a senator and instead seeks high-profile opportunities to put himself front and center.
Reports indicate multiple staffers have described Fetterman as lazy, alleging frequent avoidance of duties. According to accounts, Fetterman reportedly declined to meet with three wheelchair-bound veterans who traveled to his office, claiming sickness after they arrived. He later told staff he had skipped the meeting to appear on Fox News discussing Iran.
Jentleson said the behavior aligns with what he observed during his tenure: “The article described things that all happened since I left. But they were consistent with the behavior that I saw when I was there and that sort of disturbed me deeply.”
In a 2025 interview, Jentleson noted Fetterman exhibited erratic and risky behaviors, raising questions about his mental health. Several months before Jentleson began working for Fetterman, the then-primary candidate suffered a near-fatal stroke, resulting in lingering auditory processing issues.
Fetterman has recently grown closer to Republican figures while clashing with parts of the Democratic Party over issues including Israel and socialism.