Here’s what you need to know about this dynamic American senator.

John Fetterman: trendsetting fashion icon or defiant rule-breaker?

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But the guest who stole the show on the night’s red carpet was Pennsylvania’s junior senator Fetterman who, per Vogue, wore a Carhartt hoodie emblazoned with a printed bow tie, gym shorts and high-top trainers. Eschewing the suited-and-booted look usually associated with such events, Fetterman appeared to poke sartorial fun at the the formal dress code with his athleisure attire.

But it’s not the first time Fetterman has caused a stir with his approach to formal wear – the senator has a reputation for choosing hoodies for high profile events. Last year, Newsweek reported that he caused a furore when he appeared at a press conference wearing shorts and a tracksuit top. But Fetterman remains resolute in his choice of uniform, often wearing his signature look around the Capitol, according to Vogue.

Was he always destined for politics?

On his website, Fetterman’s biography mentions that he was born to teenage parents who were “just starting out on their own”. He joined Big Brothers/Big Sisters – a mentoring programme – when he was 23, describing it as a life changing moment in a post on Medium. He went on to earn a master’s in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

At the encouragement of his students, according to his bio, he ran for mayor of Braddock, Pittsburgh, in 2005 and held the position for 12 years before becoming Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor from 2018 until last year.

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His main mandates include advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, promoting clemency for convicted criminals, endorsing the legalisation of marijuana and supporting Israel. He was sworn in as a US senator in 2023.

How is he bucking the status quo?

John and his wife Gisele famously declined to stay at Pennsylvania’s official lieutenant governor’s mansion. Instead, they opened the residence’s pool to local children who would likely not have access to one otherwise. The Fetterman family, which includes the couples’ three children, choose to live in a restored car showroom that is more aligned with their roots.

Fetterman is also vocal on the issue of migration, openly speaking about his wife’s immigration story during his campaign, and explaining how she moved to the US when she was seven as an undocumented immigrant, per The Guardian. She became a naturalised US citizen in 2009.

How has his health affected his politics?

In May 2022, Fetterman suffered a stroke. Per PhillyMag, it was his wife who noticed his face drooping and took him to the hospital. After the stroke, Fetterman said that he “almost died” and had a pacemaker implanted to manage his condition.

According to The Washington Post, the stroke left Fetterman with an auditory processing disorder; he took part in a televised debate, and the result was disastrous. He now uses a transcription application on his phone that turns verbal questions into text, helping him to respond quickly.

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Still, the disorder took its toll. Per PhillyMag, six weeks after he was sworn into his current position, he sought help as his mental health declined. At the time, he could not get out of bed, could not shower, and did not want his family near him.

He later opened up about his struggles, hoping that by sharing his own journey, he could normalise the experience for people going through similar problems. “I have personal conversations with people that are considering harming themselves, or they’re very depressed. And that is why I talked about what I went through,” he told the publication.