John Fetterman is revealing his thoughts on what it’s like to be one of the last remaining somewhat-sane Democrats.

Senator Fetterman notably shook President Donald Trump’s hand before the historic State of the Union address Tuesday night, and according to multiple reports, he was likely the only Democrat to do so.

“I do believe that that’s true,” Fetterman said Wednesday on Fox News Channel’s “America’s Newsroom.”

To hear Fetterman tell it, it was no big deal.

“I shook his hand, of course. He walked in, and I’m always going to do that, for sure,” he said.

But it was a big deal to many who were watching:

John Fetterman is the ONLY Democrat who actually stepped up and shook hands with President Trump. Let that sink in. pic.twitter.com/19aFMyEbwe

— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) February 25, 2026

Fetterman’s professional and patriotic behavior didn’t end there, as he also defied his party by standing and clapping for America-First policies and positions championed throughout the night by President Trump.

The Pennsylvania Dem said he found his party’s SOTU behavior “disappointing.”

“I think, show up. You don’t have to clap for everything. You don’t have to agree with anything,” he said.

“It’s the constant kinds of yelling and screaming and holding up signs and for doing all these things. I don’t care if it’s a Republican or Democrat. It’s a president. Just don’t do that. Respect the office.”

🚨 BREAKING: Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) says he was one of the Democrats to stand up for Iryna Zarutska and Erika Kirk at Trump’s State of the Union

“Even Erika Kirk. Can’t we just be more kind to a WIDOW? How can’t we acknowledge that?” 💯

“I clapped for the family that lost… pic.twitter.com/VMCMIBY8VC

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 25, 2026

Fetterman currently has a higher approval rating in his home state among Republicans, at 73%, as opposed to a 22% approval among Dems, according to a recent Quinnipiac poll.

That put him at a stunning 62% dissaproval among Pennsylvania Dems with 15% undecided.

It should be noted that the poll was conducted just before the SOTU address, but was released on Wednesday.

It all comes down to whether you can respect the person you disagree with.

I’d wager that Republicans support Fetterman not because they agree on everything, but because Fetterman seems to actually represent his American constituents, and decides by what he believes is best for…

— canisaythat (@illsaywutiwant) February 25, 2026

It all comes down to whether you can respect the person you disagree with.

I’d wager that Republicans support Fetterman not because they agree on everything, but because Fetterman seems to actually represent his American constituents, and decides by what he believes is best for…

— canisaythat (@illsaywutiwant) February 25, 2026

They are going to primary this guy in 2028.

I don’t see how he could run as a Democrat and win right now with that Democrat disapproval rating.

And if he runs as an Independent, Republicans likely flip the seat red.

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 25, 2026

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