Not unexpectedly, John Fetterman’s announced treatment for clinical depression fired up some usual right-wing hypocrites, including Donald Trump, Jr. and Tucker Carlson. It also revealed a compassionate position in some Republican corners—including senators Ted Cruz, John Thune, and John Cornyn.

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It’s difficult to assess the sincerity of the senators’ statements, in part because a number of Republicans are clearly mentally ill and unfit to serve, and they don’t want to throw stones at their own glass house. Among those most compromised are Donald Trump, George Santos, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Lauren Boebert.

Predictably, however, some of the worst hypocrites came out to denounce Fetterman. VanityFair.com notes: “FOX NEWS PUNDITS SEEM HELL-BENT ON PUNISHING JOHN FETTERMAN FOR HAVING DEPRESSION…Tucker Carlson called the Pennsylvania Democrat ‘unfit to serve’…pundits at Fox News…attempted to paint Fetterman’s hospital visit as a sign of weakness—and potential spousal manipulation. ‘It’s news to no one that John Fetterman is unfit to serve in the United States Senate—he was not fit to run for office,’ said Tucker Carlson…The host went on to call Fetterman’s victory over Republican Mehmet Oz ‘a disgrace to democracy.’”

On the “disgrace to democracy” scale, Donald Trump gets my vote for the all-time most disgraceful and mentally incompetent elected official in this country. George Santos certainly resides in the top 10. In stark contrast, Fetterman took the high road and made public his hospital admission for clinical depression—likely stemming in part from a stroke last year.

A Yahoo News report citing the Huffington Post calls out “disgusting” comments of Donald Trump Jr.: “Donald Trump Jr. echoed ugly right-wing attacks on Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) when he called the lawmaker ― who has an auditory processing disorder after experiencing a stroke last year — the ‘vegetable senator from Pennsylvania’ during an episode of his ‘Triggered’ podcast on Thursday…Far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) quickly informed Trump Jr. that Fetterman was ‘back in the hospital by the way,’ referencing his checking in this week to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive treatment for clinical depression.”

After Trump Jr. and Greene offered well wishes, likely to offset their typical disgusting comments, the report continues: “But Trump Jr. then railed against people who have accused him of being ‘ableist’ with his criticism of Fetterman, who had a stroke last year…‘It’s the ability to do the job,’ Greene said. ‘We need someone that’s thinking really well.’”

Based on Greene’s assertions about ability to do the job and needing someone who’s thinking really well, she should immediately resign and check herself in for treatment.

The reassuring news in all this is that the stigma of mental illness—while still substantial—is yielding to more enlightened thinking in many quarters. Notes the New York Times, “Fetterman’s Disclosure of Depression Signals New Openness on Mental Health…The Democratic senator from Pennsylvania is the latest public figure to disclose his mental health struggles, an indication of growing acceptance, though some stigma remains.”

A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report points out that, “The reaction to John Fetterman’s hospitalization for depression was nothing like ‘the dark ages’…The news that the freshman Pennsylvania senator checked himself into Walter Reed Medical Center prompted a torrent of supportive messages from other elected officials… Some spoke publicly about their own struggles with mental health… After Mr. Fetterman’s announcement, politicians who’ve had their own mental health struggles quickly moved to explain how the pressures of public life amplify the challenges faced by millions across the country.”

Among political opponents seemingly showing compassion is Ted Cruz. According to Politico.com, Cruz “joined the chorus wishing Fetterman well: ‘Heidi & I are lifting John up in prayer. Mental illness is real & serious, and I hope that he gets the care he needs. Regardless of which side of the political aisle you’re on, please respect his family’s request for privacy,’ tweeted Cruz, whose family has experienced its own mental health challenges.”

Whether or not this was totally sincere, or a way to keep the spotlight off his family stemming from the emergency call and hospitalization of a teen in his home for “self-inflicted cutting” late last year, is subject to conjecture. But it certainly rose above calling Fetterman a “vegetable” as Trump Jr. did. Slowly but surely, the right side of the aisle is seeing how ludicrous, cruel attacks by the Trumps, Tucker Carson, and their ilk are backfiring at the polls.

Don’t expect to see any enlightenment or mental fitness out of most of the Trump clan or Carlson anytime soon. However, as Republicans see the continuing damage done to their political aspirations and the party by the lunatic “fringe right,” they’re starting to evolve away from it.

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