Republicans have intensified efforts to recruit Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman to switch parties or become an independent, aiming to secure their Senate majority after the 2026 midterm elections. President Donald Trump personally pitched the idea, promising Fetterman his "total and complete endorsement" along with substantial financial backing, according to multiple high-level GOP officials.

During a March episode of Sean Hannity's podcast, the Fox News host relayed Trump's message to Fetterman: "Your job is to tell him: He’s gonna run as a Republican, he’s gonna have our full support, more money than he ever dreamed of, and he’s gonna win big." A handful of Senate Republicans, including Sens. Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania and Katie Britt of Alabama, have built personal relationships with Fetterman, hosting him in GOP spaces and communicating regularly.

Fetterman, who votes with Democrats 93 percent of the time, firmly rejected the overtures. "I’m not changing," he told Politico. "I’m a Democrat, and I’m staying one." He added that he would be a "shitty Republican," pointing to his support for abortion rights, gay rights, marijuana legalization, and labor issues.

The senator's growing rift with Democrats stems from breaks on key issues. He has taken a hard line on immigration, backed Trump's nominees such as Markwayne Mullin for Homeland Security secretary, supported Israel's actions in Gaza, and advocated for the president's East Wing ballroom project. Fetterman visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago shortly after the 2024 election and opposed a government shutdown aimed at forcing changes to ICE funding.

On Fox News last week, Fetterman criticized his party's "socialist shift," calling it "an orgy of socialism." He described himself as a "proud pro-union Democrat" but lamented the party's "worst impulses." Pennsylvania GOP Chairman and state Sen. Greg Rothman said in April that Fetterman aligns with Republicans on immigration and foreign policy, noting he supported most of Trump's nominees.

Democrats have grown suspicious of Fetterman, leading to staff turnover and a cool relationship with Gov. Josh Shapiro and state party leaders. Top Democrats worry about his future but have avoided public criticism to prevent pushing him away. Potential 2028 primary challengers include former Rep. Conor Lamb, who competed against Fetterman in 2022.

Fetterman's fundraising has hit its lowest since 2021, trailing McCormick's totals. Republicans see a switch as a path to hold the Senate even if they lose seats this fall, with Rothman noting the party is "trying to wrestle with what happens if John Fetterman switched parties." On Monday, CNN commentator Van Jones defended Fetterman, arguing it should not be "illegal" to be a moderate Democrat.