Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania is pushing back against characterizations of former President Donald Trump as a fascist, challenging rhetoric from some within his own party.

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U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-PA, speaks at a rally with Tim Walz at the York Expo Center.

During an interview with ABC’s Jonathan Karl, Fetterman emphasized a more measured approach to addressing Trump’s political influence.

The conversation began with Fetterman reflecting on Trump’s political resilience following the first assassination attempt against him.

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Image Credit: © Ricardo Torres / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
A vendor is selling merchandise that includes a photo of Donald Trump after he survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.

“After you survived an assassination, you literally were shot in your head and had the presence of mind to respond, you know, fight, fight, fight. I mean, that’s a political talent,” Fetterman remarked, highlighting Trump’s ability to galvanize his supporters.

Fetterman also rejected the idea of labeling Trump as a fascist, a term used by Kamala Harris during her own presidential campaign. “It’s undeniable. And also, I never believed that it was about fascism. And for me, that made it difficult,” he said.

When Karl noted Harris’s use of the term, Fetterman responded, “Yeah, well, it’s like that’s her prerogative. I mean, but it’s not a word that I would use because you put a lot of Democrats, especially in my state, that I know and I happen to love people that are going to vote for Trump. And they are not fascists.”

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He further elaborated, “Fascist, that’s not a word that regular people use. I think people are going to decide who is the candidate that’s going to protect and project, you know, my version of the American way of life. And that’s what happened.”

Fetterman’s comments reflect an effort to bridge divides and maintain dialogue with Trump supporters, particularly those in Pennsylvania, a key swing state.

In addition to his rhetoric, Fetterman has also pledged to work constructively with the Trump administration.

He has met with several of Trump’s cabinet nominees to evaluate their suitability for office.

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After meeting with Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, Pete Hegseth, Fetterman shared his approach to the confirmation process. “I believe that it’s appropriate and the responsibility of a U.S. Senator to have a conversation with President-elect Trump’s nominees,” he wrote on the X platform.

He confirmed meetings with other figures, including Elise Stefanik and Tulsi Gabbard, as part of his ongoing evaluation. “That’s why I met with Elise Stefanik and Pete Hegseth, just wrapped with Tulsi Gabbard, and look forward to my meetings with others soon,” he added.

Fetterman’s stance underscores his commitment to engaging with differing viewpoints while navigating a polarized political environment.

His remarks and actions reflect an approach aimed at fostering dialogue rather than division, even amidst heated political debates.

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