Senator John Fetterman mistakenly calls himself a lifelong Republican at Texas event

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman said he was a “lifelong Republican” during a question-and-answer session at the Texas Tribune Festival, before CBS News correspondent Major Garrett corrected him and Fetterman clarified he is a Democrat. The exchange was captured on video and quickly circulated on social media.

Garrett noted the slip could be “clippable” and joked that the internet would “spin wildly” with the clip. Fetterman responded that the moment would likely be edited and reiterated his Democratic affiliation.

The incident adds to recent speculation about Fetterman's allegiance after he joined Republicans in opposing Democratic initiatives to end U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict and to limit military aid to Israel. He also appeared in a video praising Republican Senator Dave McCormick at a September convention in Dallas.

Fetterman, elected to the Senate in 2022, has denied any intention to switch parties, stating he would only leave the Democrats if they became “the anti-Israel party.” In a later interview at the Capitol, he said, “I’m not going to be a Republican… if I turn a Republican, then I’ll be a liar.”

At the Texas Tribune Festival, Fetterman expressed optimism that Democrats could win a Senate majority in the upcoming midterm elections but did not specify how he would vote on potential tie-breaking issues.