BRADDOCK, PENNSYLVANIA: John Fetterman has been leaning on a Homer Simpson meme and selling t-shirts via his campaign website to counter conspiracy theories that falsely claim that he has a body double.
The 54-year-old Democrat Senator initially addressed the theories on Tuesday, September 19, when he told reporters that “It’s all true. I’m Senator Guy Incognito.” His officer shared an audio of the conversation on their official Twitter handle.
The Pennsylvania senator's spokesperson later announced the arrival of new merchandise from his campaign.
"John has loved having fun with the body double conspiracy theory and the new Senate dress code, and he loves trolling," said spokesman Joe Calvello, adding, "This is an example of all those things meeting."
On his campaign website, one T-shirt, emblazoned with the phrase "John Fetterman's Body Double," is on sale for $35 apiece.
Fetterman’s campaign is also selling a T-shirt that is taking aim at criticism put forward by Republicans over the Senate’s new informal dress code.
What did John Fetterman say about the ‘body double’ conspiracy theory?
On Tuesday, September 19, Fetterman took to his Twitter to share a meme of Homer Simpson in response to a post about people who spread edited photos of him and said he has been replaced by a clone.
“Senator Guy Incognito (D-PA),” he wrote alongside the meme, which refers to a plot line in ‘The Simpsons’ where the character learns he has a mustachioed doppelganger.
The Senator later shared an image of his new merchandise, writing “Your new dress code by Fox News.”
Fetterman’s post garnered immense social media attention, with netizens praising him for taking on conspiracy theorists in a ‘healthy' manner and with humor.
“They seem to think that there are multitudes of 6’8” bald men out there that look and sound just like you. ? Actually, having more like you in the Senate would be a very good thing. I’m so proud that I voted for you sir,” one user said.
“You’re the best,” a second user wrote while the third user joked “I’m here for funny John Fetterman!”
“Funny, the party of “don’t tell me what to do” tells you what you can wear! You do you @JohnFetterman! ??” another user said.
What’s behind the 'John Fetterman body double' conspiracy theory?
It is not the first time he has addressed the conspiracy theories, which began surfacing after he suffered a stroke during his campaign in May 2022 and then recorded a funny video set to the song 'Just The Two Of Us'.
Since then, conspiracy theorists have used doctored images and cropped screenshots to circulate wild claims that Fetterman uses a body double.
The Senator previously addressed the story in a funny video, saying "I just want you to know that I'm back and I'm feeling great. 100 percent."
"During my time in the hospital, the fringy fringies came up with a conspiracy that I have a body double,” he continued, according to Daily Mail.
"And I just want you to know that's just crazy, that's not true," he said. But the video then cuts to him dressed in a different hoodie and he says: "Hey John, what event am I supposed to be doing this afternoon."
