Concerns Raised Over Senator John Fetterman’s Mental Health and Behaviour
A recent report has shed light on the concerning behaviour of US Senator John Fetterman, Democrat of Pennsylvania, with his former chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, expressing alarm over the senator’s erratic behaviour and potential risks to his mental health.
According to The New York Times, which first reported the story, Jentleson wrote a lengthy letter to Fetterman’s doctor last year, warning that the senator was "spiraling out of control" and that his mental health issues could cost him his life. The letter, obtained by The New York Times, stated: "I’m worried that if John stays on his current trajectory he won’t be with us for much longer."
Jentleson’s concerns were echoed by other former aides, who reported that Fetterman’s behaviour had become increasingly erratic and concerning, with some expressing fear of being in his presence when he was in an "amped-up" mood. The aides also warned that Fetterman’s driving habits were a cause for concern, with some being told never to get in a car with him due to his reckless driving.
The report also revealed that Fetterman had stopped seeing his doctors, including Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Navy doctor who had served as the on-site physician in the Capitol for nearly 15 years. Jentleson wrote: "He does not see his doctors… I am not sure when he last saw a cardiologist, but I don’t think he’s seen one since he was released."
Fetterman responded to the report, stating that "my ACTUAL doctors and my family affirmed that I’m very well." He also claimed that the article was a "hit piece" and suggested that Jentleson and the author of the article, Ben Terris, were "best friends" with a joint ax to grind.
However, Jentleson declined to respond to Fetterman’s claims. A spokesperson for Fetterman also raised questions about Jentleson’s motivations for making public a deeply personal letter, given the stigmas that already exist around mental health issues among men.
Fetterman, who had a near-fatal stroke during his campaign, spent six weeks at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in 2023 being treated for clinical depression. After his release, he seemed to have turned a corner, adjusting to his life in the Senate and speaking out on mental health issues.
In an interview with The New York Times in 2023, Fetterman said: "It’s a burden, but a privilege, too, to talk about it… It’s also an opportunity to be very bipartisan. Red or blue, if you have depression, get help, please. Don’t ever, ever, ever harm yourself. Do not leave behind a blueprint of that."
Despite this, concerns have been raised about Fetterman’s current behaviour, with some suggesting that his political transformation, including his growing conservatism, may be linked to his mental health. The senator has become more conservative on issues such as Israel and has met with former President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Jentleson’s letter described unstable behaviour, including "conspiratorial thinking, megalomania… high highs and low lows; long, rambling, repetitive and self-centered monologues lying in ways that are painfully, awkwardly obvious to everyone in the room." He also expressed concern that Fetterman was not taking his prescribed medications and was engaging in risky behaviour, including reckless driving and purchasing a gun.
Gisele Fetterman, the senator’s wife, disputed the claims in Jentleson’s letter, accusing him of lying about her husband’s condition. However, many on Fetterman’s staff remain anxious about working for him, citing concerns about his mood swings and driving habits.
The senator has a history of reckless driving, including a 2022 incident in which he rear-ended a woman’s car on the Eisenhower Memorial Highway in western Maryland, resulting in hospitalizations for Fetterman, his wife, and the 62-year-old woman.
As reported by The New York Times, Pennsylvania records indicated that Fetterman had at least two prior driving infractions in the state in which he was going more than 20 miles per hour above the speed limit.
The report has raised concerns about Fetterman’s mental health and behaviour, with some calling for him to seek medical attention. As The New York Times noted, Fetterman’s situation highlights the challenges of addressing mental health issues in the public eye and the importance of seeking help when needed.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/us/politics/john-fetterman-mental-health.html
