John Fetterman expressed his admiration for Elon Musk

Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) offered unexpected praise for billionaire Elon Musk on Thursday, highlighting Musk’s contributions to American society while maintaining that political differences do not make them adversaries.

Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Fetterman reflected on Musk’s career and his influence on technology and innovation.

“I admire Mr. Musk. He’s been involved in very important parts of American society: AI, SpaceX, and other kinds of things,” Fetterman said. “Yes, he is on a different team, but that doesn’t make me an enemy. I don’t … [am not] automatically going to become a critic.”

Fetterman’s remarks highlighted a willingness to recognize accomplishments across partisan divides. “It’s like, ‘Hey, he has made our economy and our nation better.’ And our politics are different, and I don’t agree with some of the things that he might say, but that doesn’t make him, like I said, an enemy,” he added.

Musk responded positively to Fetterman’s comments with a post on X, the social media platform he owns. “Hard not to like @SenFettermanPA. He puts country over party,” Musk wrote.

The senator’s comments followed Musk’s recent appointment by President-elect Donald Trump to co-lead a newly created “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

The department aims to streamline federal spending and operations. Musk, a vocal Trump supporter, played a significant role on the campaign trail, leveraging his popularity to bolster Trump’s messaging.

Fetterman has previously acknowledged Musk’s unique appeal to a demographic that often eludes Democrats.

During an October appearance on NewsNation’s The Hill Sunday, Fetterman remarked, “Most endorsements don’t count for much in this business, but Musk is … incredibly popular, and he has an appeal to a demographic that Democrats have struggled with.”

He added, “To some people, they see him as, ‘That’s Tony Stark.’ He’s the world’s richest man, and he’s undeniably a brilliant guy.”

Fetterman’s comments illustrate his pragmatic approach to politics. He has demonstrated a willingness to criticize his own party and to cross the aisle on specific issues.

Recently, he expressed openness to confirming some of Trump’s Cabinet nominees when the president-elect returns to the White House in January. Among these nominees is Mehmet Oz, the Republican whom Fetterman defeated in the Pennsylvania Senate race.

Additionally, Fetterman has shown support for controversial decisions by fellow Democrats. He backed President Biden’s clemency offer to Trump for his New York hush money conviction, which Biden announced after granting a pardon to his son, Hunter Biden.

Fetterman’s approach underscores his focus on prioritizing governance over partisanship. While he has remained loyal to Democratic principles, his comments about Musk and willingness to collaborate across party lines reveal a politician seeking common ground in an era of intense polarization.

As Musk continues to take on a prominent role in Trump’s administration, Fetterman’s remarks reflect a recognition of the tech mogul’s undeniable influence and potential to shape the nation’s future, regardless of political disagreements.