OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
CNN congressional correspondent Manu Raju provided an update on Tuesday regarding the mental health of Democratic Sen. John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, but it was met with skepticism by many.
Fetterman had a stroke last May, just before winning the Democratic primary by a large margin. During the general election, the extent of the stroke was revealed as the state’s then-lieutenant governor faced difficulties in basic communication. That was especially evident during a debate he had with Trump-backed GOP opponent Dr. Mehmet Oz, as viewers saw how hard it was for Fetterman to get his thoughts across and communicate, even with the help of closed-captioning tech, the Western Journal noted.
Eventually, Fetterman went on to win a close election in November, flipping a previously Republican-held seat to the Democrats, but he has had difficulties performing his duties ever since.
The fact that the senator has spent most of his two months in the Senate hospitalized might have some voters feeling regret. Last month, he was first admitted to a hospital after experiencing dizziness. A few days later, he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after showing symptoms of clinical depression. Since then, he has remained out of sight at the center, and the public has not been updated on his condition.
On Wednesday, Raju offered an update on Fetterman’s condition that generated a lot of opposition.
“John Fetterman is making progress in his recovery from clinical depression and could leave Walter Reed within next two weeks, a person close to the senator told me. The senator’s physician recently informed him that he will be ‘as good or better than his best days post-stroke,’” he tweeted.
“Fetterman’s stay has lasted this long because the doctors have been trying to get his ‘medication balance exactly right,’ per source. For instance, doctors learned his blood pressure med was too high, which may have contributed to dizziness when he went to GW hospital last month,” he added.
Fetterman's stay has lasted this long because the doctors have been trying to get his "medication balance exactly right," per source. For instance, doctors learned his blood pressure med was too high, which may have contributed to dizziness when he went to GW hospital last month
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 14, 2023
His update, however, was met with extreme doubt.
“Prove it. Show video,” comedian and conservative commentator Tim Young noted in response.
“How on earth do you project a timeframe for managing a mental health problem so bad it landed you in the hospital? That’s not exactly how mental health works, especially clinical depression. It isn’t a broken bone,” another user wrote.
“This is ridiculous. Clinical depression is not something you ‘cure’ in rehab. To be admitted for depression is not that common, let alone for this long. Someone is lying and Fetterman is not fit for office,” RedState deputy editor Kira Davis responded.
“I had no idea the recovery from mental health issues and strokes was so simple and straightforward. The millions of people whose lives are wracked with depression and who’ve been severely disabled by strokes will be excited to hear this!” added another.
After Fetterman was admitted to the hospital again last month, his team responded to calls for him to resign from the Senate.
“While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks,” Adam Jentleson, Fetterman’s Chief of Staff, said when his team announced the senator’s situation.
“After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs and will soon be back to himself,” he added.
Fetterman’s wife, Gisele, noted after her husband checked himself into the hospital that she was “so proud of him for asking for help,” according to CNN.
“After what he’s been through in the past year, there’s probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. I’m so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs,” she tweeted. “This is a difficult time for our family, so please respect our privacy.”
CNN reported that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed well wishes for Fetterman, acknowledging that his condition must be difficult not only for him but his family as well.
