Fetterman’s NBC interview will increase ‘violence’ against people with disabilities, lawyer says

A disability rights advocate told Buzzfeed News on Wednesday that NBC’s interview with Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman will increase « violence » against people with disabilities.

« The way Burns handled this interview will only escalate attitudes and violence towards people with disabilities at a time when virtual housing is being taken down left and right after it was implemented overnight in 2020, » Charis Hill told the outlet.

Hill called on NBC to apologize for « overt discrimination. »

NBC reporter Dasha Burns’ interview with Fetterman aired on Tuesday. While previewing the interview on MSNBC’s « Katy Tur Reports, » Burns said Fetterman was « struggling to understand what he was hearing. » Fetterman used closed captioning during the interview.

NY MAG WRITER ESCAPES MEDIA QUESTIONING FETTERMAN’S SHAPE AS ‘RIGHT-WING CARNIVAL BARKERS’

Fetterman suffered a stroke in May and many have questioned whether he is fit to serve as a U.S. senator.

« I was amazed at how the coverage of his use of subtitles was so riddled with ableism, » Disabled American Association President and CEO Maria Town told Buzzfeed. « The interview was deeply moving to watch. »

Burns told co-host Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday that « prior to the interview without captions, it seemed like it was difficult for Fetterman to understand our conversation. »

Guthrie pushed back against Burns and said other reporters argued they had a different experience with Fetterman.

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, flanked by Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Pa., speaks in Philadelphia, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Ryan Collerd)
(The Associated Press)

FETTERMAN SAYS STROKE ‘WILL NOT IMPACT’ DUTIES IF ELECTED, INSISTS ‘VERY TRANSPARENT’ CAMPAIGN

« Yeah, and Savannah, it’s only fair that it’s their experience. We can only report our own, » she replied.

Burns drew criticism from several reporters who said they had a different experience with Fetterman.

« Sorry to say but I’ve been talking to @JohnFetterman for over an hour non-stop or help and this is just nonsense. Maybe this reporter is just bad at conversation, » wrote Kara Swisher of Voice on Twitter.

PHILADELPHIA: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz holds a press conference with U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA).
(Mark Makela/Getty Images)

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Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Fetterman’s health was not an issue and he was fit to serve.

« I was on the phone with him yesterday, had a long conversation with him, » Durbin said. « I saw him in Chicago, I invited him to participate in a fundraiser. John is ready for this job. »