More Fetterman Aides Are Jumping Ship

Two more aides to John Fetterman have left his office because of the publication of a story calling into question the Fetterman's health. Some of the staffers, who were described as “his truest believers” are now questioning his fitness to be a senator.

Caroline Shaffer and Madeleine Marr, who have worked for Fetterman since early 2023, left after a scathing New York magazine story revealed that current and former staffers were concerned about Fetterman’s mental and physical well-being.

The departure is simply the latest instance of the frequent turnover that Fetterman’s office is experiencing. His legislative director, Tré Easton, and his communications director, Charlie Hills, left in February. His communication director, Carrie Adams, had exited previously in January.

Additionally, three top communications advisers left in March 2024. Fetterman’s chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, stepped down from that role into an advisor role that April.

I May of last year, Jentleson reached out to to the medical director of the traumatic brain injury and neuropsychiatry unit at Walter Reed Medical Hospital, reporting to him that Fetterman, who had been treated for depression there in early 2023 after his 2022 stroke, was “on a bad trajectory,” Jentleson wrote.

“We do not know if he is taking his meds, and his behavior frequently suggests he is not,” Jentleson added.

The article cited current and former staffers who said Fetterman had become erratic, manic, and showed paranoia at times.

Those allegations didn't help Fetterman when he called the report a “hit piece,” and said Jentleson was holding a “weird grudge.”

Fetterman is defending himself by shrugging off the reports, saying a high turnover rate is not uncommon on Capitol Hill.

Those comments may not be enough to prevent Fetterman’s Democratic colleagues in the Senate from taking action, though. Yesterday, it was reported that three senators are figuring out the best way to help.

“I know we’re all in touch with each other, having conversations about how to intervene,” one said. “I haven’t heard anybody say they’re not worried about it.”