- The Republican Senate nominee Mehmet Oz is getting mocked on Twitter after an insult backfired.
- Oz took a jab at Fetterman, saying his wearing of hoodies made him look like "the man."
- Some Twitter users said Oz's insult was more of an unintended compliment.
Mehmet Oz, the Republican Senate nominee in Pennsylvania, saw an insult against his Democratic political opponent, John Fetterman, backfire this week.
Oz had taken issue with Fetterman's fashion choices, accusing his rival of wearing a "costume" of hoodies. Fetterman is known for dressing casually, a choice former President Donald Trump has criticized him for.
"When he dresses like that, it's not an accident," Oz said on the "Ruthless" podcast last week.
Dr. Oz took aim at John Fetterman’s clothing and said he was “stunned by” the “costume” and believes it contains a “deeper message.”
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 26, 2022
Oz: “When he dresses like that, he’s kicking authority in the balls.” pic.twitter.com/Mrne6ZEOGJ
"He's kicking authority in the balls. He's saying, 'I'm the man. I'll show those guys who's boss,'" Oz added.
Many people said online — particularly on Twitter — that Oz's comments could be framed in a positive light.
"Does he not understand how cool that makes his opponent sound?!" Jordan Heath-Rawlings, a podcast host, tweeted in response to Oz's post.
"Oz again shows that he is not from Pennsylvania. I mean, if you advertised an event where Philadelphians were given the opportunity to 'Come kick authority in the balls.' there would be a line 6 miles long before the first kick was landed," a Twitter user with the handle @Toxic wrote.
Another user wrote that Oz "continues to be John Fetterman's best campaigner."
A representative for Oz's campaign and representatives for Fetterman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Fetterman and Oz have traded barbs over various issues.
Fetterman, who recently got back on the campaign trail after suffering a stroke, has slammed Oz — a wealthy celebrity — as being out of touch with average Americans. In August, for instance, Fetterman needled Oz when the latter messed up the name of the grocery-store chain Wegmans and called it "Wegner's" instead.
Fetterman has also been known for trolling Oz on social media. Earlier this month, he said Oz was carpetbagging because of his shaky connection to Pennsylvania. After critics repeatedly questioned Oz about whether he lived in the state, Fetterman pushed for the Republican to be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
Meanwhile, Oz ridiculed Fetterman for having had a stroke, saying his rival would not have experienced it if he had "ever eaten a vegetable in his life." Fetterman responded to Oz, saying he knew "politics can be nasty" but could "never imagine ridiculing someone for their health challenges."