Fetterman appears in video at Republican midterm convention, praises GOP senator McCormick
Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman delivered a surprise 64-second video message at the Republican National Midterm Convention in Dallas on Wednesday evening, introducing his Republican colleague Sen. Dave McCormick and emphasizing their bipartisan cooperation on Pennsylvania's steel industry.
The appearance at the first midterm convention in Republican Party history marks another break from Democratic Party norms for Fetterman, who has grown increasingly isolated from his party since taking office in 2023.
Standing in his trademark black hoodie before an industrial site in Pennsylvania, Fetterman described McCormick as "the kind of senator that gets the job done" and said he was "proud to count him as my friend." The video focused primarily on their shared commitment to protecting Pennsylvania's steel sector.
"That's the iconic U.S. Steel mill and that's exactly the kind of thing that we'll work on together. We'll work with President Trump to fight and defend the steel way of life, right here in the Steel Valley."
Despite reports that Fetterman would openly praise President Trump, his video stopped short of direct endorsement. The mention of working with Trump on steel tariffs was his closest approach to praising the president. Trump has imposed tariffs on steel imports, including a 25% rate in 2018 that was later increased to 50% in 2025, while President Biden also focused on steel protections during his term.
Fetterman repeatedly identified himself as a Democrat throughout the brief video, while also distancing himself from elements of his party. "Yes, I'm a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I'm a common sense Democrat," he said. "I'm always going to stand with America. I'm always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life."
McCormick's Path to Senate
The video introduced McCormick, who defeated three-term Democratic incumbent Bob Casey Jr. in the 2024 Pennsylvania Senate race by approximately 30,000 votes in what was considered a major upset. McCormick, a Bronze Star recipient who served as a Captain in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm, assumed office on January 3, 2025. He had previously run for Senate in 2022, narrowly losing the Republican primary to Mehmet Oz, whom Fetterman later defeated in the general election.
Fetterman's Health Challenges
Fetterman's 2022 victory made him the only Democrat to flip a Republican-held U.S. Senate seat that cycle. However, his campaign was marked by a stroke on May 13, 2022, just four days before the Pennsylvania Democratic primary. He underwent pacemaker implantation on the day of his primary victory, winning by more than 30 points despite the medical crisis.
His health challenges continued after taking office. Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on February 15, 2023, for treatment of clinical depression, remaining in inpatient care until his discharge on March 31, 2023.
Growing Rift with Democratic Party
The senator's relationship with the Democratic Party has grown increasingly strained. In July 2026, Fetterman stated he would leave the party if it officially adopts an anti-Israel policy, calling this his "red line" after 103 House Democrats voted to block military aid to Israel. A Quinnipiac poll released that month showed his approval rating among Pennsylvania Democrats had dropped to just 19%.
A recent New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Sienna University poll found that Fetterman is viewed more favorably by Pennsylvania Republicans than McCormick. Among Democrats in his home state, only 22% now have a favorable view of him.
Earlier this month, a Wall Street Journal story based on interviews with former staffers and lawmakers reported that Fetterman has shown little interest in performing his job as senator, instead focusing on building relationships with conservative media figures and advocating for Israel.
Fetterman responded to the story with a statement calling it "lies, half-truths, innuendos, smears and anonymous." He told CNN, "No matter how many smears or stories, I'm proud to continue to deliver for Pennsylvania," adding that leaked text messages in the story were "stripped of any context and circumstances."
The Republican National Midterm Convention, held September 9-10, 2026, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, represents a departure from the party's traditional presidential cycle conventions.
