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John Fetterman makes it 'very clear' that he's 'not going to be a Republican' despite Dem backlash

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa, told NBC on Wednesday that he has been very clear that he has no intention of becoming a Republican despite a recent vote on aid to Israel.

Published July 30, 2026, 3:00 PM
Updated July 30, 2026, 3:16 PM316
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John Fetterman makes it 'very clear' that he's 'not going to be a Republican' despite Dem backlash

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Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman reiterated on Wednesday that he is not considering switching parties to become a Republican any time soon, despite ongoing backlash from his party.

"I’m not going to be a Republican, and I would just remind anybody that I’ve been very clear on that, whether it's the president or the Republicans [who] are putting down perfectly loyal conservative senators whether it's [Texas Sen. John] Cornyn or [Louisiana Sen. Bill] Cassidy or these people," Fetterman said on Meet the Press NOW.

He added, "I don’t think that Republican Party wants a pro-choice, pro-gay, trans communities, federal union, and you look at my voting record…I disagree with my party on some issues like Israel, for example. But you know, I am a Democrat, and if someone is frustrated in the Democratic Party, I would be frustrated with someone like Bernie Sanders."

CARVILLE SAYS POSSIBILITY OF FETTERMAN SWITCHING PARTIES IS 'REAL THREAT' TO DEMS' SENATE PLANS

Sen. John Fetterman

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., has criticized the Democratic Party for its growing hostility towards Israel. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Fetterman pushed back against host Monica Alba after she asked if over 100 Democrats voting in favor of cutting aid to Israel was a "red line" for him.

"No, that's not my red line, but it's not something I'm surprised at overall," Fetterman said, referencing the ongoing tension within his party regarding the Jewish nation.

This came after Fetterman suggested earlier this month that the Democratic Party turning its back on Israel could be a breaking point for him.

SEN JOHN FETTERMAN PLEDGES TO BE 'LAST MAN STANDING' IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL

"If our party ever becomes, and just makes it official, the anti-Israel party, that’s when I would leave because that’s been a moral clarity for me," Fetterman said at the Hill Nation Summit in Washington, D.C.

Sen. John Fetterman

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., previously suggested that turning against Israel would be a breaking point for him in the Democratic Party. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

At the time, Fetterman said he had "no plans" to leave the Democratic Party.

Still, Republicans have supported the idea of Fetterrman switching parties as he continues to speak out against the Democratic Party's support for socialist or anti-Israel candidates. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., informed Fox News last week that he would happily accept Fetterman into the Republican Party.

FETTERMAN SAYS DEMOCRATS HAVE BECOME ‘ANTI-MEN,’ WARNS OF YOUNG MALE VOTER EXODUS

"Yes, we would welcome him," Thune said. "And I haven't talked to him recently. I have had conversations with him in the past, as have many of my colleagues, about the challenges he faces in his caucus. And, you know, there are many of us who I think would welcome the opportunity to have him join the Republican conference."

Sen. John Thune

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-SD., has endorsed the idea of John Fetterman switching parties. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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Fox News Digital reached out to Thune's office regarding Fetterman's recent comments.

Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to lindsay.kornick@fox.com and on Twitter: @lmkornick.

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