Fetterman on article about staffer concerns: 'It's a one-source story'

Sen. John Fetterman on Tuesday dismissed a news report detailing staff concerns about his health as a “hit piece” and “one-source story.”

A New York Magazine story last week raised new concerns about the senator’s health. The article quoted Fetterman’s former chief of staff Adam Jentleson, who wondered whether Fetterman was taking his prescribed medication.

Fetterman was approached about the report on Tuesday by NBC News journalist Kate Santaliz in Washington, D.C., as he walked.

New: Senator Fetterman responds to concerns about his mental health reported by @NYMag

“It’s a one source story with a couple of anonymous sources, a hit piece from a very left publication.” Fetterman said when asked to respond to concerns raised by his former chief pic.twitter.com/pmtbQxJffP

— Kate Santaliz (@kate_santaliz) May 6, 2025

“It’s a one-source story with a couple anonymous sources. Hit piece from a very left publication. There’s really nothing more to say about that,” he said.

Santaliz asked: “He said he was worried that you’re not taking your medications. Are you taking your medication, sir?”

“Again, the hit piece, anonymous sources,” Fetterman said as the video cut short.

Some political operatives agreed.

“Despicable hit piece on JohnFetterman - I wish I was surprised anyone would publish an obvious vendetta re: a man’s medical journey. What a weird medical stalker,” wrote Kyrsten Sinema, a former Democratic senator from Arizona, in a report by The Independent.

Others called for him to resign.

“The Fetterman story is troubling—not just because of chaotic staff allegations, but because someone clearly still struggling with their mental health shouldn’t be in such a high-stakes role,” wrote Rotimi Adeoye, a Philadelphia-based Democratic operative who previously worked as a staffer for then-Senator Bob Casey, according to The Independent. “The only solution is political: Fetterman should resign.”

Fetterman, a Democrat who lives in Braddock, where he served as mayor, suffered a stroke during his campaign for Senate in 2022. The following year, he was treated for clinical depression.

In May 2024, Jentleson wrote to David Williamson, medical director of the traumatic brain injury and neuropsychiatry unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, who had overseen Fetterman’s well-publicized treatment for depression at the hospital. New York Magazine quoted the letter in an article on Friday.

“I think John is on a bad trajectory and I’m really worried about him,” Jentleson, the former chief of staff, wrote. “I’m worried that if John stays on his current trajectory he won’t be with us for much longer.”