Night One of Donald Trump's midterm Republican convention certainly delivered on expectations. A number of Republicans running for office this cycle introduced themselves to national audiences. A few fresh faces made impressive speeches, perhaps especially T.W. Shannon, the GOP's nominee for lieutenant governor in Oklahoma, and Jay Feely running for the House in Arizona. Experienced firebrands such as Byron Donalds revved up the enthusiasm while landing the arguments about Democrat extremism. And, of course, Donald Trump took up the last two hours of the night with a typical rally speech that should make recent allegations of slowing down look even more absurd than usual.
The big surprise of the night didn't come from the GOP, however. After the show had already started, rumors of a surprise appearance by John Fetterman began whipping through social-media circles. Sure enough, Fetterman appeared in a recorded video to introduce Senate Republican Dave McCormick – and to scold his own party for its lurch toward socialism and "that anti-American way of life":
Republicans at the convention hall in Dallas erupted in delight. Democrats ... not so much. And as for the radicals like Hasan Piker, it was the perfect time to make fun of Fetterman's stroke and declare him too disabled to serve. Piker later apparently got a little blowback from his viewers during the reaction video for it as well:
Hasan Piker reacts to John Fetterman's introduction speech at the RNC. John Fetterman is a Republican. pic.twitter.com/X9zMFfZK9t
— adri ♡ (@socialistadri) September 9, 2026
At least so far, responses to Fetterman have been somewhat more muted, although a fellow Pennsylvania Democrat compared Fetterman's video to treason. The WSJ doesn't like Fetterman much either:
Fetterman’s popularity among Democratic voters has plummeted since his election in 2022 as he has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of his own party and has offered staunch support for Israel. A recent Wall Street Journal report found that Fetterman, once viewed as a progressive populist, has shirked many of his responsibilities as a U.S. senator.
His video appearance only further angered Democrats and fueled speculation that he may switch parties, though Fetterman said in a statement that he wouldn’t leave the party if Democrats flip the chamber in November. Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, a vice chairperson of the Democratic National Committee, compared Fetterman to Benedict Arnold.
Fetterman, as we should expect, doesn't care much about anyone's responses. He did explain later that the video did not foreshadow a flip to the GOP. Fetterman told the Washington Sun that he remains firmly within the Democrat Party, at least until the party marches itself into the clutches of the DSA or radical Islamists. A new financial arrangement does hint at a possible escape at some point:
Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman sought to tamp down speculation about his political future on Wednesday, vowing to remain a Democrat if his party wins the Senate in November.
“I’m a lifelong Democrat who votes overwhelmingly with my party-and should the Senate flip in November, I will still be the 51st vote that I ran on,” Fetterman said in a statement to The Washington Sun. ...
Speculation has grown rampant within both parties about Fetterman’s political future in recent months following his criticism of Democrats while their odds of taking control of the Senate have grown ahead of the November midterms. Some former Fetterman aides have expressed concern he could leave the party in a scenario where Democrats win a Senate majority by a single seat in November, giving him more influence.
Earlier this year, Fetterman said his “red line” for departure would be if the party officially adopts an “anti-Israel” platform. He also set up a joint fundraising committee with McCormick, another highly unusual move that raised eyebrows among his Senate colleagues.
Yes, that certainly is "unusual." It might be unprecedented. On first blush, he and McCormick may be building a fundraising operation that will support Fetterman in a sure-to-come primary challenge in 2028. However, one has to wonder whether Fetterman and McCormick might create their own caucus if the Senate splits 50-50 or 51-49 in either direction after the midterms. That would create headaches for everyone, but it would at least hearken back to the original plan of the Senate under the Constitution as the body that represented states rather than parties or popular passions.
In the meantime, though, we can just enjoy the fury that Fetterman created with the radicals in his current party, for as long as he remains in it.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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