Fetterman responds to AOC calling him a bully: 'That's absurd'

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., responded to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calling him a "bully" for his social media post in which he referred to a recent House hearing as the "Jerry Springer Show." 

Ocasio-Cortez  intervened when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, traded insults, including ones about each other's appearance. 

“In the past, I’ve described the U.S. House as The Jerry Springer Show,” Fetterman posted on X. “Today, I’m apologizing to The Jerry Springer Show.”

The show was known for guests arguing – and frequently physically assaulting one another – over such issues as paternity or child support. 

Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., shot back at Fetterman.

“I understand you likely would not have stood up for your colleague and seem to be confused about racism and misogyny being a ‘both sides’ issue,” she posted. “But I stand up to bullies, instead of becoming one.”

Fetterman was asked about the situation on Sunday on CNN. 

“That‘s absurd,” Fetterman said. “I was just simply responding to the kind of chaos and everything that Rep. Greene started as well.”

Fetterman continued: “And if everyone on the committee was proud of what they‘ve produced, they are entitled to their opinion or if they feel that this is the kind of a video that you want to send to a classroom of 8th grade civics kind of students across America. That’s their choice.”