Trump urges Fetterman to switch to Republican party

The overture comes weeks before the US midterm elections, which could determine control of Congress. Fetterman, who was elected to the Senate in 2022, has been a Democratic star with an "everyman appeal." However, his time in Washington has seen him diverge from Democrats on issues such as immigration and Israel, fueling speculation about a potential party switch.

Fetterman has consistently rejected the idea of becoming a Republican, stating in a May Washington Post op-ed that he would be a "terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats." Despite this, his relationship with fellow Democrats has been strained. In September, he appeared in a video for the Republican midterm convention, praising Republican Senator Dave McCormick and suggesting the existence of "extremists" within his own party.

Further fueling speculation, Fetterman described himself as a "lifelong Republican" during a fireside chat at the Texas Tribune festival in Austin in September. Trump cited these instances as reasons for his encouragement of a party switch.

Democrats aim to gain four seats to retake the Senate majority. While this prospect was once considered remote, headwinds for the Republican party, including Trump's unpopularity and economic factors, have made Democrats more optimistic. If Democrats achieve a 51-seat majority, Fetterman's influence within the party could diminish the incentive to switch.

Historically, party switches have impacted Senate control. Jim Jeffords left the GOP in 2001 to give Democrats a narrow majority, and Arlen Specter's departure from the Republican party in 2009 helped Democrats secure a supermajority.