Fox's McEnany Praises Fetterman, Suggests He Could Win Democratic Nomination

The Republican host says the Pennsylvania senator could be the 'person I would fear most' running for president.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 6:37pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring a politician's image repeated and overlapping in waves of bold, contrasting colors, conveying a sense of political energy and movement.A fractured, energetic painting captures the political dynamism of Senator Fetterman, who has defied party leadership and reached across the aisle.Braddock Today

During an interview on Fox News, host Kayleigh McEnany praised Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and suggested he could win the Democratic presidential nomination if he ran. McEnany told Fetterman that as a Republican, he would be the 'person I would fear most' running for the Democratic nomination because she believes he would have a good chance of winning. Fetterman responded by saying he is focused on his role in the Senate and refusing to shut down the government, which he sees as a core Democratic value.

Why it matters

Fetterman's appearance on Fox News and McEnany's positive comments about him running for president highlight the Pennsylvania senator's willingness to defy party leadership and reach across the aisle. This could boost Fetterman's national profile and make him a potential contender for the 2028 or 2032 Democratic presidential nomination.

The details

During the interview, McEnany confronted Fetterman with comments from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) criticizing a short-term funding bill approved by the Senate. Fetterman responded by saying he has been the only Democrat who has said the government should not be shut down, regardless of which party is in power. He argued that shutting down the government would only punish agencies like the TSA and make the country less secure.

  • The interview took place on March 28, 2026.

The players

John Fetterman

A Democratic senator from Pennsylvania who has been willing to defy party leadership and reach across the aisle.

Kayleigh McEnany

A former White House press secretary under President Trump who now hosts a show on Fox News.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Majority Leader and a prominent Democrat.

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What they’re saying

“Senator Fetterman, you know I've said this before, but one thing my father said about you, and he's a true-ribbed conservative, was that he likes you always stay positive...You know, you are a Democrat. Would you ever run for president? Because I've said before, as a Republican, the person I would fear most running in the Democratic party for president would be you, because I think you would win the nomination and have a good chance of winning outright. Would you ever consider that?”

— Kayleigh McEnany, Fox News Host

“That's very kind. Please thank your father for that. For me, like, I am trying to occupy the space here in the Senate, that I refuse to do things that should have been, you know, the other parts of my party would never, ever do in the past — you know, our core values — and I'm going to remain to be the one individual that refuses to shut our government down and to call out what's right and what's wrong. And that's where I'm going to remain.”

— John Fetterman, U.S. Senator

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Fetterman will consider a run for the Democratic presidential nomination in the future, but his willingness to defy party leadership and reach across the aisle could make him an appealing candidate to some voters.

The takeaway

Fetterman's appearance on Fox News and the positive comments from host Kayleigh McEnany highlight the Pennsylvania senator's potential to be a national political figure. His independent streak and refusal to shut down the government, even when it goes against his party, could make him an attractive candidate for some Democratic voters in future presidential elections.