Gisele Fetterman Deactivates Social Media Following Criticism of Husband’s ICE Stance

Gisele Barreto Fetterman, the wife of U.S. Senator John Fetterman, has deactivated her X and Instagram accounts after publicly criticizing her husband’s position on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The move follows a period of increasing scrutiny regarding Senator Fetterman’s alignment with Republican policies on immigration enforcement.

A Divergence in Views

Gisele Fetterman, a Brazilian immigrant who lived undocumented in the U.S. For over a decade, shared a deeply personal statement on X in late January following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent during an ICE operation in Minneapolis. She described the emotional toll of living with the constant fear of deportation, stating, “Every day carried the same uncertainty and fear lived in my body — a tight chest, shallow breaths, racing heart.” She further characterized the ongoing violence as “terror inflicted on people who contribute, love, and build their lives here,” calling it “devastatingly cruel, and unAmerican.”

This statement contrasted with Senator Fetterman’s recent actions, which included supporting a bill to fund ICE to avoid a government shutdown, a position that drew criticism from within his own party. He also called for the firing of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following Pretti’s death.

Senator Fetterman’s Position and Backlash

Senator Fetterman has repeatedly defended ICE, a stance that sets him apart from many of his Democratic colleagues. He has faced increasing backlash for this position, including being labeled “Trump’s favorite Democrat” by U.S. Rep. Brendon Boyle after shaking hands with former President Trump at the State of the Union address. Fetterman responded by criticizing fellow Democrats for not applauding parts of Trump’s speech he believed warranted bipartisan support.

Previous Social Media Hiatuses

This is not the first time Gisele Fetterman has taken a break from social media. In January 2024, she deactivated her accounts, citing boredom and a desire to disengage from the platform. She had also announced a social media break in November 2023, expressing frustration with being defined solely as her husband’s spouse and facing negative comments related to his political views. At that time, she highlighted the different treatment afforded to male spouses in the public sphere.

A Focus on Vulnerability and Service

Gisele Fetterman published “Radical Tenderness: The Value of Vulnerability in an Often Unkind World” in 2023. She has described herself as a “softie” and continues to be involved in community service, running a “free store” in Braddock, Pennsylvania, where her husband previously served as mayor. She also works as a firefighter.

Ongoing Debate and Political Implications

The differing views between Senator and Mrs. Fetterman highlight the ongoing debate within the Democratic party regarding immigration enforcement. Senator Fetterman’s willingness to work across the aisle and his support for certain Republican policies have drawn criticism from some within his party, as evidenced by a recent Quinnipiac University poll showing 62% of Pennsylvania Democratic voters disapprove of his job performance.

As of March 5, 2026, Gisele Fetterman’s X and Instagram accounts remain inactive, whereas her Facebook account is still active, though her last public post was in June 2025.