Fetterman Slams 'Goodfellas'-Style Hit Piece on Health, Brushes Off Critics

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman didn’t mince words this week, brushing off a New York Magazine article as a "dumb hit piece" that questioned his health and fitness for office. The story, which leaned heavily on accounts from former staffers, painted a picture of a senator struggling post-stroke, with some claiming he’s veered off his recovery plan. Fetterman, who faced a serious stroke during his 2022 campaign, likened the article’s attacks to a scene from Goodfellas, shrugging it off with a blunt, "Everyone takes a beating sometimes."

The piece stirred up a storm online, dredging up old tensions and spotlighting Fetterman’s shift from progressive darling to a more independent voice. Former aide Adam Jentleson, once a top staffer for Senator Harry Reid, was quoted criticizing Fetterman’s behavior, prompting the senator to call out what he sees as a "bizarre grudge." The article also hinted at friction with his wife, Gisele, over his health regimen and his vocal stance on issues like the Israel-Gaza conflict, which has ruffled feathers among some Democrats.

Incidents cited in the report—like Fetterman sitting alone at a Democratic retreat or nearly being hit by a car while "wandering" Capitol Hill—were framed as alarming. Yet, doctors later chalked up one episode to severe dehydration, not a second stroke. After a stint at Walter Reed Medical Center in February 2023, Fetterman dove back into his Senate role with renewed vigor, taking bold stands that don’t always align with his party’s line.

"We’ve all moved on," Fetterman said, stepping into a Senate elevator, signaling he’s ready to leave the drama behind. But the chatter around his health and political evolution shows no sign of fading.