When it comes to U.S. politics, crossing party lines isn’t totally unheard of—but it does turn heads.
Especially when it happens in a place like Washington, D.C., and on a night that’s supposed to be all about love and anniversaries.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman, known for not exactly sticking to his party’s script, was recently spotted having dinner with some unexpected company—on what appears to be his 17th wedding anniversary.
Fetterman and Bannon in the Same Booth?
According to Politico, Fetterman was seen dining at Butterworth’s, a Capitol Hill hotspot that’s a known favorite among MAGA insiders and conservative staffers.
While he was reportedly meeting up with Matt Boyle from Breitbart, what caught everyone off guard was the appearance—however brief—of none other than Steve Bannon.
Yes, that Steve Bannon. The former Trump strategist, right-wing media personality, and face of the MAGA movement, dropped by the table for about 20 minutes.
That alone was enough to send political Twitter (now X) into a frenzy.
Where Was Gisele?
What made this dinner even more eyebrow-raising? It happened on June 9th—which seems to be Fetterman’s wedding anniversary.
But nowhere in the reports is Gisele, his wife of 17 years, mentioned.
This raised eyebrows online, especially given recent speculation about their relationship.
Gisele hasn’t been seen around her husband’s Senate office for months, according to multiple reports.
And in early May, she was spotted without her wedding ring.
When asked about it at the time, she brushed it off with a pretty straightforward answer: “I’m a firefighter. Wearing a ring while fighting fires is dangerous.”
From Progressive Darling to Political Wild Card
Fetterman’s journey in politics has taken some unexpected turns.
Once seen as a progressive in the mold of Bernie Sanders, he’s now charting his own course—one that’s put him at odds with the left wing of his party.
He’s publicly backed Israel since the October 7th attack, supported stricter immigration policies, and defended fracking—positions that don’t sit well with many in the progressive movement.
He’s even had face-to-face meetings with former President Donald Trump, which further clouds his political identity.
Health Struggles and Shifting Allegiances
Behind the scenes, there’s been concern among Fetterman’s staffers.
The 55-year-old senator suffered a stroke during his 2022 campaign and later checked into the hospital to deal with clinical depression.
A New York Magazine piece recently revealed more personal details—some of which painted a tense picture of his relationship with Gisele and his health management.
According to the report, doctors and aides at one point had to take control of his social media accounts during his treatment.
Fetterman didn’t hold back in his response, calling the article a “hit piece.” Still, it added fuel to the speculation about his personal and political trajectory.
A Dinner That Lit Up Social Media
The timing of the dinner—June 9th—was confirmed by a post Fetterman made in 2024, saying he and Gisele were in a car accident on their anniversary the previous year.
So when word spread that he was out at a MAGA hangout on the same date in 2025, the internet couldn’t resist reacting.
“OH MY GODDDDD,” one user wrote on X. Progressive blogger Howie Klein quipped that at this rate, Fetterman could soon be a guest on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s podcast, which has featured Republicans in recent months.
Still No Comment From Fetterman’s Camp
As of now, Fetterman’s office hasn’t responded to any requests for comment about the dinner—or the optics of who he chose to spend it with.
Whether this meeting was a strategic move, a personal visit, or something else entirely remains unclear.
But in the world of politics, especially in an election year, timing is everything.
And for Fetterman, sitting down with a MAGA heavyweight on his wedding anniversary was definitely a choice that didn’t go unnoticed.