In a bold move that’s stirring up talk across the political spectrum, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has made headlines by rejecting harsh labels like “Nazi” and “fascist” when talking about political opponents, especially Republicans and Trump supporters. Speaking on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo on September 28, 2025, Fetterman doubled down on his call for toning down divisive rhetoric while firmly shutting down rumors that he’s planning to ditch the Democratic Party. His comments come at a tense time in American politics, following the shocking assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk and an attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life in Pennsylvania.
Fetterman, known for his hoodie-wearing, everyman style, made it clear he’s not jumping ship to the Republicans. “No, I’m not going to switch,” he told Bartiromo, “but I’m going to be an independent voice in the Democratic Party.” He stressed that he’s not the kind of Democrat who’ll sling terms like “Nazi” or “fascist” at opponents. “If you want a Democrat that’s going to call people Nazis or fascists or all these kinds of things, well, I’m not going to be that guy,” he said. Instead, he wants to focus on truth, no matter if it comes from a Republican or a Democrat.
This isn’t the first time Fetterman’s spoken out against heated political language. After Kirk’s assassination earlier this month, he blamed the growing use of extreme terms like “Hitler” or “autocrat” for fueling division and even violence. Back in December 2024, he told CNN that he knows plenty of Trump voters and respects them, insisting they’re “not fascists.” His latest remarks build on that, urging both sides to cool it with the name-calling. “I happen to believe the truth, regardless if it’s the Republican or the Democratic voice,” he said on Fox News.
Fetterman’s stance is raising eyebrows because it’s rare for a Democrat to openly challenge his party’s rhetoric while staying loyal. He’s carved out a unique spot as a moderate who supports things like Israel’s policies and pushes back against what he calls “woke” trends in the Democratic Party. This has made him a favorite among some conservatives, who’ve called him a “good guy” on social media platforms like X. Some even hope he’ll eventually switch sides, though Fetterman’s made it clear that’s not happening.
But not everyone’s buying it. Some X users have called him a “good cop” in a Democratic strategy to seem moderate while the party pushes left. Others wonder how long he can stay in a party that’s increasingly at odds with his views. Still, Fetterman’s not alone in worrying about harsh rhetoric. Other Democrats, like Florida’s Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, have called out “crazy” and “hateful” language, while Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin recently said, “Republicans are not Nazis” and “Democrats are not evil.”
The timing of Fetterman’s comments is key. With the 2024 election losses still stinging and the 2026 midterms looming, Democrats are wrestling with how to talk to voters without alienating them. Fetterman’s push for less toxic language could be a signal that some in the party want to rethink their approach. His comments also come as the nation grapples with rising political tensions, highlighted by recent violent incidents.
As Fetterman continues to speak out, he’s positioning himself as a bridge between divided Americans. Whether his party listens—or if he can keep his independent streak without clashing with Democratic leaders—remains to be seen. For now, he’s standing firm: loyal to his party but refusing to play the name-calling game.