Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) votes with his party 95% of the time, yet that 5% independence has made him a target within his own ranks, according to a new report from PJ Media.
The outlet notes that Democratic leaders often invoke the “big tent” phrase when socialist candidates win primaries, arguing that diversity of thought is a party strength. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has repeatedly used the line, saying that being a big tent party “is a strength, not a weakness.”
But PJ Media argues the tent isn’t as big as advertised. The party welcomes socialists and far-left candidates, but appears unwilling to accommodate moderates or those who occasionally break from the majority. Fetterman, who sits on the party’s left flank, has broken with colleagues on only a few issues—Israel, immigration and the border, and Iran—yet that small sliver of divergence has tanked his approval ratings within his own party, the article says.
The latest flashpoint came when the Wall Street Journal published a report accusing Fetterman of neglecting basic Senate duties, including routinely avoiding legislative work and dodging contact with constituents and colleagues. The piece triggered a wave of criticism from fellow Democrats, with several taking to social media to condemn him.
One Democrat called Fetterman “a disgrace” and a “lazy trust fund baby,” while another cited the report as evidence of “laziness, disrespect, and willingness to carry water for a foreign government.” A third said it was hard to describe how “odious” Fetterman is, adding that many who backed him in 2022 made a mistake.
PJ Media notes that an account claiming to represent former Fetterman staffers promised more revelations are coming this month, calling the Journal’s report “just the tip of the iceberg.”
The coordinated pile-on reads less like genuine concern over constituent services and more like the opening act of a 2028 primary challenge, the article argues. Fetterman faces an inevitable primary fight that year, and the Journal’s report has already been set up as ammunition.
The outlet points out that other Democratic senators have done far worse than skip meetings or favor cable appearances over paperwork, yet they haven’t faced this level of pressure. Fetterman’s real offense, PJ Media says, is the 5% of votes where he refused to fall in line.
“The big tent Democrats keep promising doesn’t exist,” the article concludes. “They’ll roll out the welcome mat for socialists eager to drag the party even further left and roll up that same mat for anyone who won’t go all the way with them.”
Source: pjmedia.com — https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2026/09/04/the-dems-big-tent-aint-big-enough-for-john-fetterman-n4956909
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