Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman made a surprise video appearance at the Republican midterm convention on Wednesday evening, introducing GOP Senator Dave McCormick and praising their potential collaboration to preserve steel jobs in Pennsylvania. In the 64-second video, Fetterman emphasized his independence from his party, stating "I'm always going to stand with America" and rejecting "socialism and that anti-American way of life." A recent poll found that while Fetterman is viewed favorably by 22% of Democrats in his home state, he is actually more popular among Pennsylvania Republicans than McCormick. The video's mention of working together with President Trump was seen as a nod to potential bipartisan cooperation.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-10,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who has been at odds with his own party, made a surprise appearance via video at the Republican midterm convention on Wednesday evening. In the 64-second video, Fetterman introduced Dave McCormick, Pennsylvania's Republican senator and a close friend of his own. Fetterman described McCormick as "the kind of senator that gets the job done" and expressed pride in their friendship. However, despite rumors that he would openly praise President Trump, Fetterman only went so far as to mention working together with him on issues like steel jobs, without giving a full endorsement. The video showed Fetterman standing in front of an industrial site in Pennsylvania, highlighting his efforts to preserve the region's steel industry.
Written for “Pennsylvania Senate Election” on 2026-09-10,
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Leaning score +0.35 for article 7604 (medium confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-10
Fetterman, already at odds with his party, makes surprise video for GOP convention
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Fetterman → make → convention
Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman made a surprise appearance via video at the Republican midterm convention Wednesday evening.
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Fetterman → make → convention
In the 64-second video, Fetterman introduced Pennsylvania's Republican senator, Dave McCormick, with whom Fetterman has grown quite close.
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Fetterman → introduce → whom
Fetterman described McCormick as "the kind of senator that gets the job done," and said he was "proud to count him as my friend."
Before the video aired, there were reports that Fetterman would openly praise President Trump, but ultimately, he didn't go that far.
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he → describe → Trump
Standing in front of an industrial site in Pennsylvania in his trademark black hoodie, Fetterman spoke about preserving the region's steel jobs.
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Fetterman → stand → jobs
"That's the iconic U.S. Steel mill and that's exactly the kind of thing that we'll work on together," he said.
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he → work → that
"We'll work with President Trump to fight and defend the steel way of life, right here in the Steel Valley.
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We → work → Valley
"
That mention of working together with the president was as close as Fetterman got to praising Trump.
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Fetterman → work → Trump
The short video contained multiple mentions by Fetterman that he is a Democrat.
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he → contain → Fetterman
He also alluded to concerns he has voiced in recent months with the direction of elements of his own party.
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he → allude → party
Why am I here talking to you today?
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I → talk → you
Because, well, I'm a common sense Democrat," said Fetterman.
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Fetterman → say → ?
"I'm always going to stand with America.
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I → go → America
I'm always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life."
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I → go → life
Fetterman has become increasingly alienated from the Democratic Party.
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Fetterman → become → Party
A Wall Street Journal story published earlier this month reported that Fetterman has shown little interest in performing his job as senator, and has instead focused on building relationships with conservative media figures and advocating for Israel.
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Fetterman → publish → Israel
The story was based on interviews with former staffers and lawmakers.
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story → base → staffers
"Per usual — lies, half-truths, innuendos, smears and anonymous," Fetterman said in response to the story, in a statement to CNN.
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Fetterman → say → CNN
"No matter how many smears or stories, I'm proud to continue to deliver for Pennsylvania."
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I → continue → Pennsylvania
Fetterman, who earlier told CNN he would only leave the Democratic Party if it adopts an anti-Israel policy, said the leaked text messages in the story were "stripped of any context and circumstances."
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messages → tell → context
Fetterman, who was elected in 2022, had a stroke during his campaign and then went through a very public battle with depression shortly after taking office.
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who → elect → office
A recent New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Sienna University Poll found Fetterman is actually viewed more favorably by Pennsylvania Republicans than McCormack, the Republican senator.
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Fetterman → find → McCormack
As for Democrats, only 22% in his home state now have a favorable view of him.
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% → have → him
