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Trump would 'love to see' Sen. John Fetterman switch parties

Trump is one of a growing group of Republicans publicly encouraging the switch, though Fetterman has not responded to the invitation.

On air: Chip Darnell and Hank Ledger on BBN Tonight
Published
Photo: United States Senate · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Chip Darnell and Hank Ledger on this story, from BBN Tonight at 9:41 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Washington Times's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: John Fetterman
Photo: United States Senate · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

What BBN said about it

  1. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe one-sentence version: President Trump says he would love to see Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman leave the Democrats and become a Republican.

  2. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThat is a big public invitation, and I have so many questions. Did Senator Fetterman answer?

  3. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNothing in our reporting says he has. The Washington Times reports Trump is one of a growing, increasingly vocal group of Republicans saying this.

  4. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo it is not just one guy at a podium. It is a whole chorus.

  5. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA chorus of people who would benefit. Which is worth keeping in mind.

  6. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHow are the outlets playing it?

  7. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFox News leads with Trump saying he would love to have him, amid growing speculation. The Guardian leads with Trump urging him to switch.

  8. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorUrging versus saying he would love it. Those are different verbs.

  9. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThey are. And Benzinga frames it around Democrats targeting Senate control, which is the real reason anyone cares.

  10. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOkay, so how did we get here? Why Fetterman?

  11. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe coverage doesn't spell out his reasons, so I won't guess for him.

  12. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWhat it does say is that speculation is growing, and Trump just fed it.

  13. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFeeding speculation. That's the whole game right now.

  14. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFine. Now, who is affected? Pennsylvania voters, first. They elected a Democrat, and a switch would change what they got.

  15. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd the Senate itself, right? Every single seat counts when control is close.

  16. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorExactly. Republicans see a possible gain. Democrats see a possible loss, and a bunch of tense phone calls.

  17. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIs there a case against this, from the Republican side?

  18. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe reporting we have doesn't lay one out. Both parties are watching, and the senator holds the only vote that matters here.

  19. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo what do we watch next?

  20. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWhether Fetterman responds, and whether anyone besides Republicans starts talking about it. Right now it's one side talking.

  21. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo you're saying we wait for the senator to say something.

  22. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorI'm saying a compliment is not a party switch, and every Los Angeles mosquito has done more damage this month than this invitation.

  23. Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBut one sentence version: Trump loves him, and a wedding is basically planned!

  24. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe one-sentence version is that someone said he'd love it. Please stop planning the wedding.

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The story so far

  1. Trump Urges Talarico to Debate Paxton; Lincoln Sailors Welcomed · The Guardian
  2. Fetterman plays political maverick, but his record tells another story · Fox News
  3. Riyadh strike kills 12; Republicans push back on Russian diesel deal · Washington Examiner
  4. Trump says he'd 'love' Fetterman as a Republican · New York Post
  5. Trump publicly urges Fetterman to switch parties; Pope Leo to have… · The Guardian
  6. Murphy, Barrasso, Trump on Fetterman and Ukraine · CBS News
  7. Trump would 'love to see' Sen. John Fetterman switch parties (this story)

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