In December 2022, The New York Times named John Fetterman, then Pennsylvania’s senator-elect, as one of the ‘most stylish people of 2022.’

When a list of 93 individuals including politicians, celebrities, athletes, influencers, and fictional characters was released, it was meant to be unique and playful. However, it included a fashionable photo of Fetterman in his usual attire of worn-out sneakers, oversized hoodies, and baggy shorts.

The list also included Chloe Sevigny, Anne Hathaway, Beyonce, and Queen Elizabeth II.

The article in The New York Times Styles section appeared to be a light-hearted piece, but it was actually part of a larger misleading tactic by the media. They aimed to portray Fetterman, a stroke survivor, as a charming oddball with a contemporary carefree attitude, all the while diverting attention from a serious issue—his overall well-being, both physically and mentally.

Interestingly, media deceptions seem to come into play only when the politician aligns with the Democratic viewpoint. Today, the mainstream media coverage of John Fetterman tells a very different story.

This week, New York Magazine published a staggering expose, with hefty input from Fetterman’s former chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, detailing the Senator’s profound mental health battle.

The story stunned Washington with its intimate details about Fetterman’s alleged outbursts, treatments, and marriage, and for the stark disloyalty displayed by his aides.

As Beverly Hallberg, a leading media coach and political commentator told me on 2WAY, ‘I hope [Jentleson] struggles with finding a job after this because this is not what you do when you’ve worked for [someone]. When you are in the inner circle… it’s just 101, you don’t do this, it’s a no-no, and it ruins your reputation.’

In December 2022, The New York Times named John Fetterman (pictured), then Pennsylvania ‘s senator-elect, as one of the ‘most stylish people of 2022.’ 

The article might have seemed merely a lighthearted feature, but it was part of a broader smoke and mirrors effort by the media to present Fetterman (pictured with his wife Gisele), the survivor of a then-recent stroke, as a charming eccentric with a modern devil-may-care flair. 

This week, New York Magazine published a staggering expose, with hefty input from Fetterman’s former chief of staff, Adam Jentleson (pictured), detailing the Senator’s profound mental health battle. 

So, why then would a seasoned political aide commit this ultimate betrayal, kneecapping a fellow Democrat and endangering their own career?

‘The reason [Fetterman’s] name is in the ring 1746811656 is because he does appear moderate whether it’s his stance on Israel, or he’s willing to go against his party,’ said Hallberg.

In recent months, Fetterman has moved from the Democratic left to the political center, expressing more moderate positions, clashing with Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, offering a contrast with the more stringently progressive vibe of AOC and Bernie, and avoiding Resistance tropes.

Some of Fetterman’s staffers have balked at his nuanced stances, and his office has seen notable turnover, as liberals refused to be associated with him over his backing of Israel in its war against Hamas and his support for some Trump nominees.

A furious Fetterman, using almost a Trumpian turn of phrase, immediately dismissed the New York Magazine piece as a ‘It’s a one-source story with a couple of anonymous sources, a hit piece from a very left publication,’ marking perhaps the first time in recorded history that a Democratic has played the Trump card, damning a story by claiming the publication is too far to the left to be credible.

If we’re to judge the mainstream media on consistency, he may have a point.

When Fetterman experienced a debilitating stroke on May 13, 2022, just days before winning the Democratic primary for the US Senate race, the press was quick to protect him.

Fetterman’s status as a Democrat in good standing was apparently more important than his wellbeing or ability to actually do the job, a scenario not unlike the press cover-up of Joe Biden’s precipitous and manifest mental decline during his presidential tenure.

Fetterman’s medical condition following the stroke was very serious.

Fetterman’s status as a Democrat in good standing was apparently more important than his wellbeing or ability to actually do the job, a scenario not unlike the press cover-up of Joe Biden’s mental decline during his presidential tenure. (Pictured: Biden and Fetterman in 2022). 

He himself acknowledged that ‘I almost died,’ and urged others with his disorder, cardiomyopathy, to seek and follow medical advice. ‘The stroke I suffered on May 13 didn’t come out of nowhere… I want to encourage others to not make the same mistake.’

After hospitalization and the surgical insertion of a pacemaker, Fetterman struggled with the physical and mental aftereffects of the stroke. His speech was slurred, his body visibly weakened, and his spirit depressed.

In retrospect, it is astonishing that, given the severity of his condition, Fetterman was able to carry on with a grueling Senate campaign and ultimately defeat Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz (who is now serving in the Trump administration).

This was in no small part due to the assist from the press. The media bent over backwards to shield Fetterman throughout the Senate race and beyond.

Reporters downplayed his post-stroke struggles, were gentle during press conferences, mocked his opponent, and accused his political foes of ableism and malice.

NBC News reporter Dasha Burns was attacked by fellow journalists (and Fetterman’s wife) after she spoke candidly about Fetterman’s condition following a sit-down interview.

Burns reported that ‘in small talk — before the interview, without captioning — it wasn’t clear [Fetterman] was understanding our conversation,’ and noted that the Fetterman campaign refused to share the candidate’s medical records.

After Burns’ report, journalist Kara Swisher tweeted ‘Sorry to say but I talked to @JohnFetterman for over an hour without stop or any aides and this is just nonsense…Maybe this reporter is just bad at small talk.’ Rebecca Traister of New York Magazine also pushed back against Burns. ‘As someone who has recently interviewed him: Fetterman’s comprehension is not at all impaired. He understands everything.’ Political writer Molly Jong-Fast called Burns’ reporting ‘BS.’

Gisele Fetterman, the then-candidate’s wife, demanded Burns issue ‘an apology towards the disability community from her and from her network for the damage they have caused.’

When Fetterman’s shocking speech, hearing, and processing problems were glaringly evident during his debate against Oz on October 25, 2022, only several media outlets, including the Daily Mail, called for Fetterman to produce his medical records or exit the race.

When the records were released they were incomplete, according to physicians who spoke the Daily Mail, and signed-off on by a doctor who made routine donations to Democratic candidates.

Then, Fetterman won. He was sworn into the Senate in January 2023.

When Fetterman’s shocking speech, hearing, and processing problems were evident during his debate against Oz on October 25, 2022, only several media outlets called for Fetterman to produce his medical records or exit the race. (Fetterman is pictured with Obama in 2022). 

In retrospect, it is astonishing that, given the severity of his condition, Fetterman was able to carry on with a grueling Senate campaign and ultimately defeat Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz (pictured with Trump).

Although his shabby attire on the Senate floor and ongoing recovery scandalized many traditionalists, the press continued to cover him with a light touch and gave him space when he sought intensive treatment for clinical depression.

His name was even mentioned as a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2028.

But now, the tide has turned. A flood of stories from major media organizations has crashed through the airwaves and internet following the New York Magazine piece, replete with disturbing anecdotes about Fetterman’s general fragility and mental fitness.

Politico reports that few members of the Pennsylvania delegation or other elected Democrats are willing to speak out on Fetterman’s behalf and the blind quotes about a possible primary or resignation are hurtling through the Beltway air like the flying monkeys in ‘The Wizard of Oz.’

In one shocking Associated Press dispatch, an emotional Fetterman is quoted as wailing in a private meeting with teachers, ‘Everybody is mad at me…why does everyone hate me, what did I ever do?’

That is a question the American media will — now — be sure to answer.

Mark Halperin is the editor-in-chief and host of the interactive live video platform 2WAY and the host of the video podcast ‘Next Up‘ on the Megyn Kelly network.