Why John Fetterman Is Being Compared to Stephen Hawking

Support for Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman is pouring in on social media, after the Democrat’s only debate with Republican rival Mehmet Oz this week revealed the impact a stroke five months ago had on his ability to speak fluently and quickly.

For many, the mockery that Oz’s campaign has made of Fetterman over his health issues and the doubts raised over his fitness to serve as he suffers what he says is a temporary disability are a sign of ableism—prejudice against people with disabilities—in U.S. politics.

In an attempt to demonstrate how Fetterman’s speech deficit is in no way a reflection of his cognitive abilities, supporters on social media have brought up the case of the late world-renowned British theoretical physicist, cosmologist and author Stephen Hawking, who was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)—a condition that left him paralyzed and unable to talk without assistive technology.

Fetterman supporters are comparing his speech deficit to that of world-renowned British physicist Stephen Hawking. In this composite photo, Fetterman (L) and Hawking (R). KRISTON JAE BETHEL/AFP via Getty Images and Bruno Vincent/Getty Images

“Even World Renowned Genius Stephen Hawking Used Help To Communicate. Fetterman Is Recovering,” wrote one Twitter user.

“This guy (Stephen Hawking) wouldn’t do well in a debate either, but he was sharp as a tack,” wrote another.

“Stephen Hawking was a genius. He developed a disability that robbed him of his ability to walk and speak. He spoke through a computer and although it took time for him to get a thought out, he was still a genius. John Fetterman had a stroke, is improving and is 10X the man Oz is,” wrote a Twitter user.

During the debate with celebrity doctor Oz on Tuesday, Fetterman addressed the concerns around his health directly. “Let’s also talk about the elephant in the room: I had a stroke,” he said in his opening remarks. “He’ll never let me forget that,” he added, pointing at Oz, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

Before the debate, Fetterman, Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor, shared a letter from his doctor which said he had “no work restrictions and can work full duty in public office.” The Democratic candidate refused to share his full medical records, saying in an interview with NBC that for him transparency was taking part in the debate.

“You can’t be any more transparent than standing up on a stage with 3,000 people and having a speech without a teleprompter and just putting everything and yourself out there like that. That’s as transparent as everyone in Pennsylvania can see,” Fetterman told NBC.

Oz insists on the release of the full medical records.

“In the interest of full transparency over my own health, I saw my doctor again to get the most current appraisal of my health status,” said Oz in a statement to City & State PA. “I agree that voters should have full transparency when it comes to the health status of candidates running for office.”

Support for Fetterman has been dropping amid the doubts cast by his rival over his health, but according to the latest FiveThirtyEight poll, Fetterman is still “slightly favored” to win the Senate race, with a 60 in 100 chance of victory, while Oz trails behind with a 40 in 100 chance of winning.

According to RealClearPolitics, the race—crucial in deciding the balance of power in the Senate after the midterm elections—is a toss-up, with Fetterman gathering 47.3 percent of votes and Oz 46.0.