Senator Mike Lee sent a fundraising email stating that John Fetterman is basically a Republican and asking for help to draft him.
Posted by Behind the Bastards, Checked
- Sources
- 6 support1 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 85%
Behind the BastardsOct 3, 2026
The Atlantic obtained a solicitation from Sen. Mike Lee's fundraising list that reads "I just got an email from John. He's basically a Republican now. I need your help to draft him," and Time independently reports a Lee-sent fundraising email with the same text. The claim matches the passage and the sources, and no source contradicts it.
Our two reads of who says this, and how, disagree, so it counts as the post's own claim.
What was said
… Senator John Fetterman sent a little video to the Republican midterm convention, The Intercept reported that Fetterman has been fundraising using GOP email lists, with campaign fundraising emails coming from the address, quote, info at GOP squad dot com. Now, one of these GOP linked fundraising emails said it was from friend of the pod, James, favorite Senator Mike Lee, who wrote in this email, quote, Friend, I just got an email from John. He's basically a Republican now. I need your help to draft him. Sign here," unquote. And then there's John Fetterman, you know, campaign insignias below this, this little email chain. So, cool stuff there. Two great tastes that go great together: Fetterman and Mike Lee. …
Behind the Bastards · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. The Atlantic quotes a solicitation Lee wrote, which he sent to his own fundraising list, containing the exact claimed wording, and says the outlet obtained it.[2][5]
Supports. Time reports a fundraising email sent from the gopsquad handle with Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah listed as the sender, beginning "I just got an email from John. He's basically a Republican now."[3][6]
Supports. Raw Story and MEAWW repeat Lee's quoted appeal, including "I need your help to draft him," and say Lee used it to solicit donations to his own account.[4][7]
Context. Fetterman has said he has no interest in becoming a Republican, and Trump publicly urged him to switch parties, but neither bears on whether Lee sent the email.[1]
Context. Lee's office did not respond to a request for comment, so his side of the account is not on record.[2]
Sources
7 sources: 1 fact-checker, 2 tier 2, 1 tier 3, 3 not rated
- 1Trump urges Sen. John Fetterman to become a Republican | AP Newsapnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: context
- 2Right-Wing Groups Are Making Money off John Fettermantheatlantic.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports, context
- 3'He's Basically a Republican Now': Fetterman Turns to GOP Donors ...time.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports
- 4Outrage after Fetterman’s MAGA-linked fundraising deals ...rawstory.com · tier 3 · cited for: supports
- 5John Fetterman’s MAGA Cash Grab Exposed in Leaked Messagethedailybeast.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 6'He's Basically a Republican Now': Fetterman Turns to GOP Donors ...yahoo.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 7‘I’m not going to be a Republican!’: John Fetterman’s ...news.meaww.com · not rated · cited for: supports
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has been fundraising using GOP email lists.True
- Senator John Fetterman referred to himself as a Republican while speaking at the Texas Tribune Festival.True
- John Fetterman is essentially a Republican in the Senate.False
- Senator John Fetterman endorsed Dave McCormick for Senate.True
- Campaign fundraising emails for John Fetterman were sent from the address info@gopsquad.com.True