Fetterman Rebuffs Accusations of Advising Harris Against Shapiro, Expresses Frustration over 'Weird' Questions

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman vehemently denied claims that he discouraged Vice President Kamala Harris from selecting Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as her running mate. Fetterman's frustration mounted as MSNBC's Ali Vitali repeatedly pressed him on the matter, leading the Senator to question the relevance and appropriateness of the inquiry.

Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman expressed exasperation over repeated questions regarding his alleged concerns about Governor Josh Shapiro, whom Vice President Kamala Harris ultimately did not choose as her running mate.

During an interview on MSNBC's "Katy Tur Reports," guest host Ali Vitali confronted Fetterman with claims that he had advised the Harris campaign against selecting Shapiro, citing a Politico report suggesting Fetterman's team expressed reservations about Shapiro's political ambitions.

Fetterman Rebuffs Accusations of Advising Harris Against Shapiro, Expresses Frustration over 'Weird' Questions

"So is it true? Did you or your team have concerns about Shapiro that you took to the Harris team?" Vitali inquired.

"No, I never directed anyone on my team or anyone to do that. So that's just not true," Fetterman flatly responded.

Fetterman Rebuffs Accusations of Advising Harris Against Shapiro, Expresses Frustration over 'Weird' Questions

Vitali pressed further, asking if Fetterman held any reservations about Shapiro's qualifications as a potential running mate.

"No, my [only] issue that ever existed with the current governor has nothing to do with anything that's been talked about or any kind of public baggage within that article," Fetterman stated, clarifying that his concerns stemmed solely from their interactions on Pennsylvania's Board of Pardons.

Fetterman Rebuffs Accusations of Advising Harris Against Shapiro, Expresses Frustration over 'Weird' Questions

However, Vitali highlighted that Fetterman had refrained from applauding Shapiro during the latter's remarks introducing Governor Walz, Harris's chosen running mate.

"Is this just one of those old political rivalries in the same state or deeper policy issues like ones you reference on sentencing?" Vitali asked.

Fetterman Rebuffs Accusations of Advising Harris Against Shapiro, Expresses Frustration over 'Weird' Questions

"If you'd like to ask, you can ask him," Fetterman replied.

"I'll ask you both," Vitali interjected.

"But I thought I was here to talk about, you know, where we're at now," Fetterman retorted.

Growing visibly frustrated, Fetterman questioned the relevance of discussing a decision that had already been made.

"I just don't understand why we're talking about a choice that was already made. I was very clear that the vice president is perfectly capable of picking whoever they want. They have effectively unlimited funding. She has access to every Democratic expert, and she made her choice. And that's where we're at right now," Fetterman emphasized.

"And [Walz]'s right on the stage right now in Wisconsin, and why are we talking about this weird stuff? I don't understand that," he exclaimed.

Fetterman argued that the focus should be on the present moment and the recent selection of Governor Walz.

"Why are we focusing on something that happened a week or two ago, or two months ago? Or a lifetime ago, for that matter? Why aren't we focusing on what's happening right now?" he insisted.

The interview concluded with Fetterman reiterating his denial of any involvement in discouraging Harris from selecting Shapiro and expressing his dismay at the persistent inquiries into the matter.