{
  "id": 13603889,
  "title": "Trump urges Sen. John Fetterman to switch parties and become a Republican",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/trump-urges-sen-john-fetterman-to-switch-parties-and-become-a",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T01:21:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/10/10/trump-urges-sen-john-fetterman-to-switch-parties-and-become-a-republican"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Donald Trump urged Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania to change parties and join the Republicans just weeks before the midterm elections, which could alter the balance of power in Congress. At Joint Base Andrews on Saturday, Trump told reporters that he believed Fetterman would perform better as a Republican than as a Democrat. The comments represent one of the most direct attempts by Trump to persuade Fetterman to switch parties, a development of increasing significance as Republicans could potentially lose their Senate majority in the upcoming elections.\n\nFetterman, who was first elected to the Senate in 2022, has faced criticism from Democrats for his growing ideological divergence from his party, particularly on issues such as immigration and foreign policy. Despite his initial popularity, Fetterman has repeatedly dismissed the idea of becoming a Republican, stating in May that he would be a \"terrible Republican\" who would still align with Democratic positions. His relationship with fellow Democrats has become strained after he recorded a video for the Republican midterm convention, praising his fellow Pennsylvania senator and expressing his rejection of \"extremists\" within his party.\n\nFetterman's flirtations with the GOP could significantly complicate his re-election prospects, as Democrats would need to win four additional seats to reclaim Senate control. With Trump's unpopularity and the economic repercussions of the Iran war exacerbating challenges for the GOP, Democrats appear more optimistic about their chances of gaining the Senate majority. However, if Democrats secure the necessary four seats to achieve a 51-seat majority, Fetterman's influence in the chamber would be diminished, reducing the incentive to switch parties. The last senator to switch parties and impact control of the Senate was Jim Jeffords of Vermont, who left the GOP in 2001, creating a narrow Democratic majority. Former Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter's defection to the Democratic party in 2009 also bolstered Democratic control.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Trump urges Fetterman to switch parties and become a Republican.",
    "Fetterman has dismissed idea of becoming a Republican, aligning with Democratic positions.",
    "Democrats need four more seats to reclaim Senate control."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Trump's overture to Senator Fetterman signals a Republican effort to capitalize on the Democrat's strained party ties and potentially gain a Senate seat, complicating Fetterman's re-election prospects.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}