Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman (D) struggled to answer during a debate Tuesday night why he won’t release his medical records after he suffered a serious stroke earlier this year.
Fetterman has faced scrutiny over his fitness for office after the stroke as he struggles to understand words and has difficulty speaking and often needs conversations transcribed for him just to understand what is being said.
“Last week, you released this note from your doctor saying you can work full duty in public office, but you have not released your detailed medical records surrounding your stroke,” the moderator said. “Mr. Fetterman, will you pledge tonight to release those records in the interest of transparency?”
“To be for transparency is about showing up. I’m here today to have a debate,” Fetterman responded. “I have, you know, spee- speeches in front of three thousand people in Montgomery County, all across Pennsylvania big, big crowds.”
“I believe if my doctor believes that I’m fit to serve, and, and that’s what I believe is appropriate,” he continued. “And now with two weeks before the election, you know, I have run a campaign and I’ve been very transparent about being very open about the fact we’re in use captioning. And I believe that again, my doctors, the real doctors that I believe in, they all believe that I’m ready to be served.”
The moderator again pressed Fetterman for not answering the question.
“I didn’t hear you say you would release your full medical records. Why not?” the moderator asked. “You have 30 seconds.”
“Now, again, my doctor [inaudible] believes that I’m fit to be serving and that’s what I believe is where I’m standing,” Fetterman claimed.
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"Will you pledge tonight to release those [medical] records in the interest of transparency?"
JOHN FETTERMAN: No pic.twitter.com/uwOdSFycmC
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 26, 2022