Sen. John Fetterman makes a surprise cameo praising Republicans at the GOP convention

The Democratic senator — who often takes heat from his own party for teaming up with Republicans — praised his fellow senator from Pennsylvania, who is a Republican.

DALLAS — Just eight weeks out from the midterm elections, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., gave Republicans a boost Wednesday night.

Fetterman appeared on video at the Republican midterm convention, praising Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., and touting working with President Donald Trump.

“Yes, I’m a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I’m a commonsense Democrat,” Fetterman said in the video message. “I’m always going to stand with America. I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and the anti-American way of life. Dave McCormick is the kind of senator that gets the job done, and he’s going to fight for Pennsylvania. I’m proud to count him as my friend.”

Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, delivers a video message during the first day of the Republican Midterm Convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. Bloomberg / via Getty ImagesFetterman also pointed to a U.S. Steel mill behind him, saying, “That’s exactly the kind of thing that we’ll work together, and we’ll work with President Trump, to fight and defend the steel way of life, right here in the Steel Valley.”

McCormick then thanked Fetterman for his “friendship” and his “courage.”