Sen. John Fetterman spoke at a press conference alongside the families of Israelis being held hostage by Hamas. (Getty Images)
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After his stroke, Fetterman struggled to process audio and words. He now uses an app that presents the exact words you are saying to him on his phone. The app then also shows the words Fetterman speaks. The captions help Fetterman take part in conversations and understand what is being said around him.
Fox News had the chance to sit down with Fetterman for an interview. The exchange has been lightly edited for context and clarity.
Chad Pergram: In your short period of time in the Senate, you have sometimes plowed a different road than some of your Democratic colleagues on different issues. Talk about how you arrived at those decisions that differ from what some people expected from you politically when you came to the Senate.
Fetterman: I know that some people were caught by surprise. And, you know, even when I just said, you know, in passing that I’m not a progressive, I’ve been saying that for years, actually. I've just really been committed to really being on what I thought it was like the right side on these things. And no, maybe politically it might be less popular with our base.
Pergram: It kind of seemed like, when we saw the change, when you and I first talked, it was on the border and border security. That was something that you differed from some of your Democratic colleagues.
Sen. John Fetterman in his office on June 22, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Fetterman: Exactly. And this allows me – just the way perhaps you wear your glasses – to read and to fully process things. I want to make sure that I can be precise when you ask. I have the captioning. And that’s just a tool. That allows me to fully participate in interviews or conversations with my children or with my colleagues anywhere.
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Pergram: Give us a sense of how you're feeling now compared to last February, last January, when you came in. All the stress of joining the Senate. Being hospitalized. And then how you feel now a year later.
Fetterman: I feel great. I feel very fortunate, every day, to be a part of this. I wanted to make sure that depression and mental health (are) part of a conversion. And that’s a red county, a blue county situation. I know that regardless of where you are politically or anyone watching this right now (who’s suffering from depression), it’s not you. You probably have someone that you love or know or work with that has an issue, whether it’s depression or anything like that. And I would encourage (you) to please consider getting help. And it’s an important conversation that we have to have. We have in this nation now, over 50,000 Americans (who) have chosen tragically to take their lives. That’s an epidemic. And that’s the highest level ever. This is a conversation that maybe (is) not a political winner. But that’s one we should have. And I’m proud to be part of that and leading that.
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Pergram: Sen. Fetterman, thank you for your time. Thank you for joining us.
Fetterman: It's always a pleasure to speak with you. Thank you
Chad Pergram currently serves as a senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in September 2007 and is based out of Washington, D.C.
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