Fetterman Apologizes for 'Dumb Joke,' Blasts Ex-Aides

Sen. John Fetterman is denying a Wall Street Journal report that he is indifferent to his own job, telling CNN the leaked texts behind it came from "disgruntled staffers" pushing "smears."

The first-term Pennsylvania Democrat broke his silence this weekend in a statement to CNN, after declining to answer the Journal's requests for comment.

He called the article "the third hit piece from disgruntled staffers" who have gone after him — but apologized for one of the texts, a remark about Medicaid cuts he now calls a "dumb joke."

The Three Claims

Fetterman answered three specific anecdotes from the Journal's report, arguing each was "stripped of any context and circumstances."

The hospital text. The Journal reported that in a text last September, Fetterman asked staff why he had to "keep having to meet" with officials from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. An aide answered, per CNN's account of the report: "Because they're worried about Medicaid cuts." Fetterman replied: "Well, I'm not." He told CNN that was a "dumb joke, and for that, I sincerely apologize," and said he has met with the hospital's officials "virtually and in person."

The police funeral. The Journal reported he skipped the funeral for three police officers killed near his hometown of York last September, citing a text in which he complained about the three-hour service: "This may be a nonstarter." Fetterman said his office "privately ordered flowers to be delivered for their families" and that he expressed condolences publicly, and said he privately attended a Tunnel to Towers fundraiser in York in June of this year, meeting the officers' chief and family members.

The veterans meeting. The Journal reported he skipped a planned meeting with three paralyzed Pennsylvania veterans on health care legislation — staff told them he wasn't feeling well — then turned up about an hour later looking fine and did a Fox News interview. "Prior to the meeting I was at home throwing up, so I asked my staff to continue with the meeting which they did," Fetterman told CNN. "Hours later, I felt well enough to continue the day as scheduled."