1776Reporting
Senator John Fetterman is urging his fellow Democrats to change their approach when speaking to the public. Instead of using complex political jargon, he believes they should communicate in a way that resonates with everyday Americans. His comments came during an interview with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle, where he pushed back against discussions about the rise of “oligarchs” in America.
“I would just ask Democrats, like, start talking like a regular person. Most people are not sure what an oligarch is, you know?” Fetterman told Ruhle when she pressed him on the idea of growing wealth concentration in the U.S.
Known for his candid approach, Fetterman has never hesitated to criticize his own party. He also called out Democratic lawmakers for their behavior during President Donald Trump’s recent joint address to Congress. In his view, their protests and reactions did little more than make Trump appear “more presidential.”
“There’s also another little secret, too. Democrats, we like billionaires if they’re giving to our causes or to our party as well,” he pointed out. Ruhle pushed back on this notion, prompting further discussion.
Fetterman argued that the true problem lies in “unlimited money,” which he described as the biggest threat to American democracy.
“Remember, a lot of these billionaires that were in tech, they used to be more friendly to the Democratic interest and our party,” he noted. “Unlimited money, get rid of that, and that would transform America more than any single other decision.”
Ruhle then shifted the conversation to figures like Elon Musk, pointing out his influence in the Trump administration and the concern that powerful individuals inside the government could use their positions to benefit their businesses.
“There’s a difference between very wealthy political donors,” Ruhle argued, “and wealthy individuals inside the government making decisions that could enrich themselves and their businesses.”
Fetterman, however, wasn’t entirely convinced.
“I’m not sure if they necessarily are motivated just, you know, based on money,” he responded. “Whether it’s Bezos or Musk, they have far more than you could spend in 100 lifetimes. So, for that, I think scarcity defines the luxury, so that’s why a lot of them want to be engaged on that, because they have unlimited money, so I think they want to just be part of the conversation.”
When asked if he believed billionaires’ roles in government benefited their businesses, Fetterman suggested that their influence is more about aligning with political trends.
“So, for me, they might move [where] a lot of the political waters flow,” he explained. “I don’t think it’s billionaires taking over the country, I think it’s just people with a lot of money, and we can spontaneously stop it by cutting off unlimited money.”
Fetterman didn’t hold back on social media, either. Responding to the Democratic protests during Trump’s address, he warned that his party risked becoming like “metaphorical car alarms” that the public tunes out.
“A sad cavalcade of self owns and unhinged petulance. It only makes Trump look more presidential and restrained. We’re becoming the metaphorical car alarms that nobody pays attention to—and it may not be the winning message,” he posted on X.
Speaking with Fox News Digital, Fetterman also touched on a moment from Trump’s speech that should have been a unifying one. The former president honored DJ Daniel, a 13-year-old cancer survivor, yet several Democrats remained seated.
“I don’t know why we can’t fully celebrate,” Fetterman said. “I mean, I have a 13-year-old myself, and thank God she’s never had cancer, but I think that’s something we can all celebrate there. And I think it was a touching moment. And, like I said, that’s part of the best of the American experience.”
Fetterman’s message is clear: Democrats need to rethink their approach, communicate in ways that regular Americans understand, and focus on real solutions rather than performative outrage.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings