OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Sen. John Fetterman, who appears to still be recovering from a stroke he suffered a little more than a year ago, is now sporting a new look that has many comparing him to a fictitious and notorious drug kingpin from New Mexico.
The Pennsylvania Democrat “is unveiling a new look and it’s got fans of the hit television series ‘Breaking Bad’ clamoring,” The Western Journal reported, adding he revealed “his new mustache in a Twitter selfie on Saturday.”
“Lost a bet with Karl,” the senator wrote in reference to his son, though it’s not clear what the terms of the wager were about or what the bet was over.
Shortly after he posted the selfie, several X platform users began to compare his new look to that of “Breaking Bad” protagonist Walter White, played by actor Bryan Cranston.
Just a few days earlier, Fetterman appeared in a selfie with his daughter wearing a full beard.
Lost a bet with Karl 🥸 pic.twitter.com/D9XKEYHivj
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) August 19, 2023
Happy birthday 🎁🎂🎈🎊🎉 to my birthday twin and BFF, Gracie!
12 years later and you are still the bestest birthday present ever 😭🥰 pic.twitter.com/jJU9ohERVW
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) August 15, 2023
Last month, Fetterman opened up to a journalist about his bouts with depression following his stroke, which led him at one point to check himself into Walter Reed Medical Center for weeks of treatment.
During an interview with The New York Times, the former state lieutenant governor admitted that he doesn’t “even like” himself.
He spoke about his first six months in the chamber and his mental health struggles following a stroke in May 2022, though he added that people seem to find him interesting.
“I don’t even like me. That’s the truth,” he told the Times after the reporter said that people find him fascinating, adding that “doesn’t make any sense” to him.
The Democrat explained to the Times that his depression is a “burden” as well as a “privilege” to him.
“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,” he told the paper.
Earlier in the week, Fetterman was seen answering questions from people in the hallways of Congress using a tablet equipped with voice-to-text dictation. The outlet mentioned that Fetterman had recently adopted the use of a tablet that can transcribe spoken words into text.
Fetterman taking hallway questions (!!) using a tablet that does voice-to-text dictation in real time pic.twitter.com/AHmxBwUTH4
— bryan metzger (@metzgov) July 25, 2023
Fetterman was released from Walter Reed in late March following weeks-long treatment for clinical depression after checking himself into the facility earlier this year on the recommendation of the congressional physician.
Fetterman’s office issued a press release stating that he is in remission after receiving treatment for depression and had briefly returned to Braddock, Pennsylvania, Fox News reported at the time.
“I am so happy to be home. I’m excited to be the father and husband I want to be, and the senator Pennsylvania deserves. Pennsylvanians have always had my back, and I will always have theirs,” Fetterman said, per the release.
“I am extremely grateful to the incredible team at Walter Reed. The care they provided changed my life. I will have more to say about this soon, but for now, I want everyone to know that depression is treatable and treatment works. This isn’t about politics — right now, there are people who are suffering with depression in red counties and blue counties. If you need help, please get help,” he added.
According to Fox News, Fetterman had “missed 53 of the 64 Senate roll call votes during February and March as a result of being hospitalized.”
Fetterman was among several senators during that period who were absent from the Senate, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who both missed substantial amounts of time. McConnell had been recently discharged from physical therapy for a concussion and minor rib fracture, POLITICO noted.
