John Fetterman's bizarre response when asked about Philadelphia highway collapse in the Senate
Embattled Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman sparked fresh health concerns after stumbling through his tribute to the I-95 bridge collapse.
Months after he made a headline grabbing six-week hospital visit for clinical depression, Fetterman was asked in a Senate Environment Committee hearing Wednesday if he had any remarks about the overpass disaster.
'I, uh, would just, um, really like to, you know — the 95, 95, 95. You know?' he responded.
'Obviously, you're pretty much preoccupied with 95, and I, I certainly am too... and we know its a major atery (sic), not just for Pennsylvania, but for the East Coast.'
The Senator's mumbled statement trailed off as he neared the end of his sentence, amid concerns that he has still not fully recovered from a debilitating stroke in May 2022.
Sen. John Fetterman (pictured) stumbled through his remarks on the I-95 bridge collapse during a Senate Environment Committee hearing on Wednesday
A section of the I-95 highway collapsed Sunday after a truck carrying gasoline exploded
Fetterman's incoherent remarks came days after a truck carrying gasoline overturned and caught fire on the I-95 highway, killing the driver and destroying an overpass used to ferry over 150,000 vehicles every day.
But it was the senator's disjointed reaction that captured attention, with many outspoken conservatives criticizing Fetterman for his apparent struggle.
'Great choice Pennsylvania!' said Republican activist Amanda Larreni.
'Keep voting for brain dead Democrats like John Fetterman & Joe Biden & this is what you get!'
Podcast host and Outkick founder Clay Travis echoed Larreni's comments, sarcastically saying: 'John Fetterman weighs in on the I-95 collapse as only he can. Profound, trenchant, eloquent. Good choice, Pennsylvania.'
Fox News hosts Jesse Watters and Tomi Lahren also chimed in on the bungled statement, with Watters admitting he 'feels terrible' for the floundering lawman.
'It's painful to watch, and everyone knows how painful this is to watch,' added Lahren.
'The fact that these people are still serving, Diane Fienstein being another one, this isn't fair to the people they are representing.
'These people are likely going to vote for a Democrat, but my goodness, could you at least give us a Democrat who can put together a complete sentence - and maybe even lie with some coherence?'
'We'd rather have a liar than someone who can't even talk' added Watters.
Conservative media outlet Daily Caller also criticized Fetterman's blunder, while noting he swapped out his usual hoodie and shorts look for a suit.
'Fetterman swag - suit straight off the rack,' the outlet tweeted alongside video of the fiasco.
The lawmaker's appearance has been a hot-button issue for conservatives since he joined the Senate in January.
Last month, Fetterman wore his favored Carhartt hoodie as he appeared alongside several Democrat heavyweights including Bernie Sanders to tout progress on debt limit negotiations.
GOP Congresswoman Lauren Boebert took to Twitter to express her disapproval at his sartorial decisions, calling his outfit 'truly unbecoming'.
By comparison, his four Democratic colleagues were all dressed in suits, ties and more formal footwear.
'John Fetterman redefined Casual Friday on a Thursday morning. It's truly unbecoming for someone to show up like that to any job, let alone a job that only 100 people are elected to do. There's just no excuse for it,' she railed.
Fetterman came under fire last month for wearing a hoodie and shorts while his Democrat colleagues opted for a traditional suit
Fetterman has become known for the casual look, which he wore throughout his successful Senate campaign in 2022
John Fetterman (left) sparked health concerns during his blundering debate with Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz (right) in October
Criticisms about Fetterman's mental competency reached fever pitch before he was even elected to the Senate, when he appeared to struggle to finish his thoughts during a debate with Republican rival Mehmet Oz in October.
After opening the night by addressing the crowd 'Hi, goodnight everyone', it became apparent Fetterman was still suffering lingering speech and auditory issues from the stroke he suffered in May 2022.
Fetterman at times struggled to get through his hour-long debate with Oz, with his delivery often halting and choppy.
At one point Fetterman was asked to clarify his position on fracking, as moderators pointed to a 2018 interview where the lieutenant governor expressed broad opposition to the practice, but not a ban.
'I do support fracking - I don't, I don't - I support fracking, and I do support fracking,' he answered.
A month later, he was slammed by Donald Trump Jr., who branded the then-candidate 'brain dead'.
Source: Daily Mail
