Tessa Quinn
Senator John Fetterman has had a highly publicised struggle with his mental health. After experiencing episodes of delusion, he admitted himself to Walter Reed Medical Center for clinical depression in February 2023. Since his release, Fetterman has faced scrutiny for his behaviour and absence from hearings and procedural votes. So, is John Fetterman still in the hospital?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | John Fetterman |
| Occupation | Senator |
| Political Party | Democratic Party |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Health Issues | Stroke, depression, delusions, severe dehydration |
| Hospitalization Dates | February 2023, March 2023, 2025 |
| Hospitals | Walter Reed, George Washington University Hospital |
| Treatment | Inpatient care, medication changes, blood draws |
| Staff Concerns | Failure to follow recovery plan, need for inpatient care |
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What You'll Learn
John Fetterman's history of hospitalisations
John Fetterman, the Democratic Senator from Pennsylvania, has had a highly publicised history of hospitalisations and mental health struggles. Fetterman suffered an ischemic stroke in May 2022, just days before the primary election. He spent the next five months recovering on the campaign trail. In addition to the stroke, Fetterman also lives with atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy, which required him to undergo surgery to implant a pacemaker with a defibrillator.
Fetterman has been open about his struggles with clinical depression, which he has experienced on and off throughout his life. In February 2023, he checked himself into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to seek treatment for his mental health. Fetterman's chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, stated that his depression had become severe in recent weeks and that he was receiving voluntary inpatient care as recommended by the attending physician of Congress, Dr. Brian P. Monahan.
Fetterman has faced scrutiny for his absences from Capitol Hill, which have been portrayed by the media as indications of mental unfitness for office. Fetterman, however, claims that his absences are due to his desire to spend more time at home rather than on senatorial duties that he considers a waste of time. He has also been criticised for not properly following his post-stroke recovery plan, including failing to attend regular blood draws, which was a crucial component of his treatment.
In June 2024, Fetterman was involved in a high-speed car crash in Maryland, where he was driving over 70 mph and collided with a Chevy Impala. His staff raised concerns about his driving habits, such as texting, reading articles, and making video calls while driving. Fetterman's mental health issues were also "weaponised" by the media, as he had predicted they would be, further complicating his situation.
Despite his struggles, Fetterman has denied experiencing mental difficulties and has refused to step down from his position. He returned to the Senate after his hospitalisation in 2023, displaying a more outgoing personality and frequently engaging with his colleagues and reporters. However, some have raised concerns about his mental state, with his ex-chief of staff stating that Fetterman is "getting worse" and that his mental health struggles indicate he should resign from the Senate to focus on his health.
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Fetterman's mental health
John Fetterman, the Democratic senator from Pennsylvania, has been open about his mental health struggles. In February 2023, Fetterman was admitted to Walter Reed hospital for clinical depression, experiencing delusions and thoughts of self-harm. He underwent six weeks of inpatient care and was taken off antidepressants, which may have contributed to his delusions. Fetterman's doctor, David Williamson, attributed the delusions to the lingering effects of a stroke he had suffered months earlier, as well as dehydration and depression.
After his release from the hospital in March 2023, Fetterman returned to the Senate, displaying a more outgoing personality and frequently engaging with reporters and fellow senators. However, concerns about Fetterman's mental health persisted, with some noting that he had separated himself from other Democrats and taken a softer approach to then-President Trump. In May 2025, Fetterman's former chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, wrote a letter expressing alarm about Fetterman's behaviour and questioning whether he was adhering to his recovery plan. Jentleson's letter, along with comments from other staffers, sparked discussions about Fetterman's fitness for office and whether he should resign.
Fetterman has faced scrutiny for his absences from Capitol Hill, which he attributed to his mental health struggles and a desire to spend more time at home. He acknowledged that his depression had become public knowledge and that it was being used against him politically. Despite the concerns raised, Fetterman insisted that he was in good health. However, both current and former staffers claimed that Fetterman had changed, and they no longer recognised the person they once knew.
In addition to his mental health struggles, Fetterman has also dealt with physical health issues. In May 2022, during his Senate campaign, he suffered a serious stroke. Following his hospitalization for depression, Fetterman was found wandering on Capitol Hill, leading to fears that he had suffered another stroke. However, doctors at George Washington University Hospital determined that he was severely dehydrated and prescribed him medication for depression.
Fetterman's health, including his mental well-being, has been the subject of media scrutiny and speculation. His wife, Gisele Fetterman, has also been drawn into the discussion, with reports of tensions between them over his health regimen and his Senate work. While some have called for Fetterman's resignation due to his mental health, others have defended him, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health issues without stigma.
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Fetterman's stroke and recovery
John Fetterman, the Democratic Senator from Pennsylvania, suffered a stroke in 2022 while campaigning for the state's US Senate seat. Fetterman has been open about his recovery process, which has included the use of assistive technology in the Senate to aid with lingering auditory processing issues resulting from the stroke.
Fetterman's recovery and fitness for office have been the subject of public debate and concern. In May 2025, Fetterman's ex-chief of staff raised alarms about the senator's health, claiming that he was getting worse and not adhering to his recovery plan. Fetterman has faced criticism for not taking his medication and for failing to attend regular blood draws, a crucial component of his post-stroke treatment. There have also been reports of Fetterman experiencing episodes of delusion and inward-facing seclusion, as well as outbursts of anger.
Fetterman's supporters argue that he is forging a path for people with disabilities by continuing to serve in office while recovering from a stroke. However, critics argue that he should step down from office to focus on his health and recovery. Fetterman's health issues have become a key issue in his political career, with some arguing that his actions and behaviour resonate beyond his home state and across the country.
Fetterman has also been open about his struggles with depression and has admitted himself to Walter Reed for treatment in February 2023. He has faced scrutiny for his absences from Capitol Hill, with the media portraying him as mentally unfit for office. Fetterman, however, claims that his absences were due to his desire to spend more time at home rather than on senatorial duties that he deemed useless.
Overall, Fetterman's stroke recovery has been a challenging and public process, with ongoing debates about his ability to serve in office effectively while managing his health.
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Fetterman's relationship with his wife, Gisele
John Fetterman, the Senator of Pennsylvania, has been married to Gisele Barreto Fetterman (née Almeida) for 14 years. The couple first met in 2007 when Gisele wrote a letter to John, who was the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania, at the time, inquiring about the town's role in the steel industry. They were married the following year, in 2008. The Fettermans have three children together: Karl, Grace (Gracie), and August, and a rescue dog named Levi. They live in Braddock, Pennsylvania.
Gisele Fetterman is a Brazilian-born American activist, nutritionist, and nonprofit executive. She is the founder of the nonprofit Freestore 15104 and a co-founder of the nonprofits For Good PGH and 412 Food Rescue. Gisele has devoted her life to helping others, with a focus on nutrition, food equity, and meeting the basic needs of Pennsylvanians. She has also been an outspoken advocate for marginalized groups, especially the immigrant community, as she herself was once an undocumented immigrant. In addition, she has pushed for the legalization of marijuana in Pennsylvania and is a supporter of LGBTQ rights.
John Fetterman has struggled with his mental health and was admitted to Walter Reed hospital for clinical depression in February 2023. Gisele has been supportive of her husband's recovery and has accompanied him to public events. She delivered speeches on his behalf when he had a stroke days before the Democratic primaries. Gisele has also encouraged him to seek treatment for his depression, and in March 2023, she expressed that she was "so proud of him" for doing so.
The Fettermans have faced scrutiny for their absence from certain events and for their political views. John Fetterman has been criticized for missing hearings and procedural votes, and for his softer approach to former President Donald Trump. Gisele, meanwhile, has faced criticism for opening the lieutenant governor's mansion and pool to the public instead of residing there. However, the couple has also received recognition for their work and dedication to their community.
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Fetterman's behaviour towards colleagues
John Fetterman, the Democratic Senator from Pennsylvania, has had a somewhat tumultuous relationship with his colleagues. Fetterman has been described as a "lone wolf" by a state representative and has a history of separating himself from his fellow Democrats, particularly on Israel policy. He has also been criticised for his willingness to cooperate with former President Donald Trump, despite being a Democrat himself.
Fetterman has raised concerns among colleagues about his mental health and behaviour. In May 2025, reports emerged of an outburst during a meeting with union officials, where Fetterman began shouting and questioning why "everyone is mad at [him]". This incident caused concern among Democrats, with some suggesting that Fetterman should resign and focus on his health. Fetterman has also faced scrutiny for routinely missing hearings and procedural votes, with some speculating that his absences are related to his mental health.
Fetterman himself has acknowledged the impact of his mental health struggles, admitting that he has dealt with depression and received treatment for it. He has also expressed frustration at the media's portrayal of his absences as indicative of mental unfitness for office.
Following his hospitalization in 2023, Fetterman returned to the Senate as a more outgoing lawmaker, frequently engaging with colleagues and reporters. However, he has also been described as a loner in the Senate, and his colleagues have noted his withdrawal from casual interactions.
In addition to his outbursts, Fetterman has exhibited other concerning behaviours. He has been known to drive recklessly and exhibit paranoia, leading to his isolation from colleagues. He has also clashed with staff, with reports of him picking fights and using those conflicts as excuses to cut people off.
Overall, Fetterman's behaviour towards his colleagues has been a cause for concern, with many questioning his fitness for office and discussing how to best support him.
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Frequently asked questions
No, John Fetterman was released from Walter Reed hospital in March 2023.
John Fetterman was admitted to the hospital for clinical depression. He was also experiencing delusions and thoughts of self-harm.
After his release, John Fetterman returned to the Senate and even campaigned for then-Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz in October 2024. However, his behaviour alarmed his then-chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, who resigned in March 2024 due to concerns about Fetterman's mental health.
In May 2024, Jentleson wrote an urgent letter to David Williamson, the doctor who oversaw Fetterman's care at Walter Reed, expressing his worry about Fetterman's trajectory.
There have been calls for John Fetterman to resign from the Senate and focus on his health. Some believe that his mental health struggles have impacted his ability to serve effectively. However, Fetterman insists that he is in good health.
