Politics · United States · 1 day ago
Trump says he would welcome Democratic Senator John Fetterman into GOP
President Donald Trump said he would welcome Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, into the Republican Party.
Trump also said Fetterman might do better politically as a Republican.
Fetterman has sometimes disagreed with Democrats on issues including immigration and Israel, but he still votes with Democrats most of the time.
He has previously rejected switching parties, saying he would be a poor Republican and votes overwhelmingly with Democrats.
His praise for a Republican senator and remarks at a Republican convention have nevertheless fueled speculation about his political future.
The party question could affect his chances of winning the Democratic nomination for another Senate term.
The issue comes ahead of November’s midterm elections, when Democrats hope to gain four seats to take control of the Senate; Fetterman’s office had not responded to a request for comment.
Donald Trump said he would welcome Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania into the Republican Party.
Trump said Fetterman does better politically as a Republican and praised his judgment and common sense.
Fetterman has broken with Democrats on some issues, including immigration and Israel, but continues to vote with Democrats the vast majority of the time.
Fetterman has previously rejected the idea of becoming a Republican, saying he would be a “terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats”.
Trump’s comments came as speculation about Fetterman’s political future continued ahead of the November midterm elections.
- Who
- President Donald Trump said he would welcome Democratic Senator John Fetterman into the Republican Party.
- What
- Trump encouraged Fetterman to switch parties. Fetterman has previously rejected the idea.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Joint Base Andrews, as Trump returned to Washington, DC.
- Why
- Trump said Fetterman does better as a Republican; the articles also cite Fetterman’s breaks with Democrats as fueling speculation about a possible switch.
Donald Trump
John Fetterman
Party affiliation
Donald Trump
Trump said he would welcome Fetterman into the Republican Party.
John Fetterman
Fetterman has repeatedly rejected the notion of becoming a Republican.
Political prospects
Donald Trump
Trump said Fetterman does better as a Republican and suggested it could be hard for him to win the Democratic nomination.
John Fetterman
Fetterman wrote that he would be a “terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats”.
Fetterman was elected to the Senate.
Fetterman joined the Senate.
Fetterman wrote that he would be a “terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats”.
Fetterman recorded a video for the Republican midterm convention praising Republican Senator Dave McCormick.
Trump said he would welcome Fetterman into the Republican Party.
- Senator
- John Fetterman
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Fetterman’s Senate election
- 2022
- Trump’s remarks
- Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Democratic votes
- Nearly 90% since Fetterman joined the Senate in 2023; just under 81% during the current session of Congress
What people are saying
I'd love to see it. I think he's great,
I’d love to see him as a Republican,
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.
terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats
Sources
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