John Fetterman gives surprising take on Trumps Middle East Riviera plans

Democratic Senator John Fetterman signaled he was not completely against President Trumps plan to take over Gaza.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman signaled he was not completely against President Trumps plan to take over Gaza

The 78-year-old president made the stunning declaration at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday. 

The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too, Trump said. 

His remarks were met largely by outrage from Democratic lawmakers, but Fetterman who has been an outspoken supporter of Israel had another response.

Its a provocative part of the conversation, but its part of the conversation, and thats where we are, he told a reporter Tuesday evening. 

The Palestinians have refused, or theyve been unwilling to deliver a government that provided security and economic development for themselves, he went on, according to Jewish Insider.

Fetterman said the Palestinians allowed the attack on October 7 to occur and now Gaza has to be rebuild. 

Where are the people going to live? Where are they going to go? So its part of a conversation with where theyre at right now, the senator said. 

 Fettermans response came after Trump suggested in his remarks that Gaza would be a Riviera of the Middle East.

Senator Fetterman at the White House on Jan. 29
President Trump on Tuesday

Senator John Fetterman weighed in on Trumps comments the U.S. would takeover Gaza calling it a provocative part of the conversation

Fetterman has bucked the response of by other Democrats at times since Trump won the November election. 

He became the first Democratic lawmaker to go and visit Trump at Mar-a-Lago after he won ahead of his return to the White House. 

The Pennsylvania Democrat has rejected claims he would be switching parties, but he has also backed some of Trumps more controversial nominees and supported recent immigration legislation with a small number of Democrats. 

Fetterman was at the White House in is signature hoodie when the Laken Riley Act was signed into law last week. 

Since 2023, he has been a staunch defender of Israels response to the attack on October 7 and demanding the return of hostages. 

But while Fetterman did not respond to Trumps proposal on Gaza, other Democrats have accused the president of calling for an ethnic cleansing. 

Palestinians walk on the rubble of destroyed houses in Gaza City on January 25 after the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas

Palestinians walk on the rubble of destroyed houses in Gaza City on January 25 after the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas

He just said that it will be US policy to forcibly displace two million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. That is ethnic cleansing by another name, said Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen Tuesday night.

Other Democrats accused the president of trying to distract from the chaos and confusion in Washington as the Trump administration is embroiled in a fight over funding, escalating trade war and accused of an illegal takeover with Elon Musks DOGE gaining access to the Treasury and Americans sensitive data.