Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has once again taken aim at his own party, this time criticizing the Harris-Walz campaign’s failure to connect with male voters. President-elect Donald Trump made significant gains among white working-class men and achieved record-breaking support from Black and Hispanic male voters. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Fetterman highlighted the influence of Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, and other prominent Silicon Valley figures who have aligned themselves with Trump. He pointed to their role as a key factor in Trump’s ability to secure crucial demographics that Democrats have abandoned and ultimately win the election.
“Musk was involved. He was described as moving to Pennsylvania. And sometimes that doesn’t really mean much, but he was an active surrogate — and I mean, his checkbook was helpful. That wasn’t really the defining facet for me,” Fetterman said. “I was concerned that he’s going to have a lot of sway with a part of the demographic that the Democrats have to win, and we’ve struggled with.”
When asked what demographic he was referring to, the Pennsylvania lawmaker stated that he was speaking in reference to male voters. “Whether it’s the ‘bros,’ that negative term that perhaps even your publication uses, as a negative — it’s the bros, or, you know, males, blue-collar guys, just people,” he said. “It’s very rare, in my opinion, that surrogates have ‘fanboys.’ Making fun of him or make light of it, you do that at your peril, because it is going to matter.”
Fetterman then expressed his views on how the Democratic Party can enhance its messaging. “Have a conversation. Have a conversation with anyone that’s willing to have an honest conversation. That’s always been the rule, and that’s what I’m going to continue,” the freshman senator continued. “I’ve had conversations on Fox News, and they’ve played me straight. I’ve shown up on Newsmax, and they’ve played it straight. And Rogan, Rogan was great. He was cordial and open and warm.”
The Pennsylvania Democrat noted that since 2016, Democrats have struggled with male voters. He emphasized that their current approach is “condescending” and “not helpful.” “In 2016, I was doing an event with the steel workers, across the street where I live, and I was noticing different kind of energy with this, with Trump. It was clear at that time that people were voting for Trump. And the Democrats’ response was, ‘Aren’t they smart enough to realize they’re voting against their interests?’ And that’s insulting,” the Pennsylvania lawmaker continued. “And that’s, I mean, that’s, that’s just not helpful. It’s condescending. And if anything, that reinforces that kind of stereotype.”