Democratic Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman might have a new campaign slogan—and it comes courtesy of Mehmet Oz, the television personality best known as "Dr. Oz" who is his Republican opponent.
During an interview on Ruthless—a well-known conservative podcast—Oz took aim at Fetterman's clothing. Fetterman often opts to wear a hoodie over a suit and tie, which Oz appeared to suggest makes him appear unprofessional to prospective voters.
But it's unlikely Oz intended to fawn over Fetterman with accidental praise, as when he said when Fetterman wears a hoodie, he is essentially "kicking authority in the balls."
You can hear what Oz said in the video below.
\u201cDr. Oz took aim at John Fetterman\u2019s clothing and said he was \u201cstunned by\u201d the \u201ccostume\u201d and believes it contains a \u201cdeeper message.\u201d\n\nOz: \u201cWhen he dresses like that, he\u2019s kicking authority in the balls.\u201d\u201d— PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1664235942
Oz said:
“When he [Fetterman] dresses like that, it’s not an accident."
“He’s kicking authority in the balls."
"He's saying, ‘I’m the man. I’ll show those guys who’s boss.’”
Oz didn't seem to understand his remarks make Fetterman sound very cool—which is absolutely the opposite of what he intended.
\u201cDamn... Fetterman is even cooler than I realized\u201d— Bioshock (@Bioshock) 1664294669
\u201cOz saying that Fetterman kicks authority in the balls is the best Pro-Fetterman ad in the game\u201d— American Lesion (@American Lesion) 1664242921
Others pointed out Oz's remarks are classist and not a good look for a candidate who claims to be "anti-establishment."
\u201cSounds like classism but alright.\u201d— Z (@Z) 1664294602
\u201cJohn Fetterman looks and dresses like a regular guy. A really tall regular guy, but a regular guy nonetheless. A lot of Trump supporters look and dress like John Fetterman. For a guy who claims to be anti-establishment, Oz sounds really establishment here.\u201d— The Squirrel Hill Tunnel Troll, JD (@The Squirrel Hill Tunnel Troll, JD) 1664294764
\u201c1) How one dresses is not the kind of person they are, I\u2019d much prefer a legislator who dresses and votes like he would to a Mitch McConnell figure\n2) Occasionally a kick to authority\u2019s balls is a good thing\n3) The message is that he likes what he wears\u201d— Chris Kirkwood (@Chris Kirkwood) 1664285804
Oz has attracted significant scorn on social media, particularly for running in Pennsylvania's Senate race despite living in New Jersey.
Fetterman, who suffered a near-fatal stroke in May, generated support in his time off the campaign trail by launching social media campaigns emphasizing Oz's ties to New Jersey and minimal ties to Pennsylvania.
Meanwhile, Oz has been widely roasted on social media for past strange tweets about poop and comments on incest.
Earlier this month, Oz was criticized after remarks he made in 2014 in which he appeared to give the green light to incestuous relationships resurfaced, prompting Fetterman to crack Oz's comments represent "yet another issue" where the two men disagree.
Fetterman also demonstrated he has his finger on the pulse of the latest entertainment news by using one of scandal-ridden Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine's sexually charged Instagram messages to illustrate Oz's thirst for "money, fame, and power."