Fetterman’s team served crudités at election night party before Dr. Oz’s humiliating loss

Democrat John Fetterman’s campaign team served crudités at their election night party, taking a clear dig at his Trump-endorsed Senate opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz, who would go on to suffer a humiliating loss in the race later Tuesday night.

A couple of hours before polls closed in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Julia Terruso tweeted a photo of the vegetable appetizers at Fetterman’s campaign party. The photo showed a platter of raw, cut vegetables and dips, along with a sign that read: “Crudité: garden fresh vegetables, hummus, green goddess dip.”

Breaking – crudités at the Fetterman party. pic.twitter.com/95I5CQR3iX

— Julia Terruso (@JuliaTerruso) November 9, 2022

Oz’s proclaimed love of crudités in a April campaign video later went viral and became an easy target of mockery by Fetterman’s team and many others on social media, as it showed the celebrity TV doctor’s apparent confusion about food prices and the name of a well-known Pennsylvania grocery store chain, among other things.

In the video, Oz tried to make a point about inflation by going shopping at a Pennsylvania grocery store.

Inflation is hurting American families. Under Joe Biden, gas prices are skyrocketing and food prices are rising. We must stop the reckless spending. This is outrageous! Thanks a lot, Joe. pic.twitter.com/8kNil6upn8

— Dr. Mehmet Oz (@DrOz) April 6, 2022

“I’m at Wegners,” the heart surgeon said, making his first mistake. Behind him, a sign showed that he was shopping at Redner’s, a Pennsylvania-based supermarket company. Twitter users thought he had accidentally blended Redner’s and Northeast grocery chain Wegmans, resulting in the new portmanteau, People reported. 

Oz then picked up broccoli, asparagus and carrots, saying it all cost $10. Oz also grabbed tubs of freshly made guacamole and salsa, saying the latter cost $5.99. Oz complained: “Guys, that’s $20 for crudités and this doesn’t include the tequila. This is outrageous and we’ve got Joe Biden to thank for this.”

Oz’s mistake about “Wegners” played into the idea that he was a carpetbagging candidate, a New Jersey-based celebrity who had only recently became eligible to run in Pennsylvania after he claimed residency in the state by moving into a home owned by his in-laws. Fetterman repeatedly argued that Oz was out of touch with Pennsylvania voters.

People on Twitter also called Oz out for his confusion about food prices, as if he’s a wealthy celebrity who never does his own grocery shopping. For example, New York magazine pointed out that he said that a single head of broccoli costs $2, but it actually cost $2 per pound. Oz also was criticized for choosing the more costly fresh salsa, when regular people on budgets might choose to spend less by picking up jarred salsa.

Fetterman’s campaign seized on Oz’s gaffe-ridden video, with the Pennsylvania lieutenant governor first taking aim at Oz’s use of the more fancy term for a vegetable platter: “In PA we call this a … veggie tray,” Fetterman wrote. But Fetterman also raised the idea that Oz’s knowledge of Pennsylvania geography and landmarks is questionable. He sarcastically added, “Dr. Oz regularly shops for crudités at the Wegners in Huntington Valley.”

To honor Dr. Oz’s love for crudité and Wegners (and also because it’s my birthday) we’re launching this NEW limited edition sticker ????????

Make a donation of any amount + it’s all yours ????

Because it’s actually just a veggie tray https://t.co/PFXLDrhn6O

— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) August 16, 2022

Oz’s defeat comes after he eagerly accepted former President Trump’s endorsement and appeared with him at a campaign rally over the weekend, where the candidate made another Pennsylvania-related gaffe by saying that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be playing a game on Sunday, when they were not, Newsweek said.

Oz faced other negative headlines last week when Oprah Winfrey urged Pennsylvania voters to choose Fetterman for their new senator and reject Oz, even though she helped make the doctor famous by giving him his start on TV.

As Slate reported, legitimate questions were raised about Fetterman’s health, as the Democrat struggled with his auditory processing following a stroke he suffered on the eve of the Democratic primary. However, Oz, a medical doctor, “disturbingly” spent the final weeks and months of the campaign “essentially tormenting” Fetterman for having suffered a medical emergency, Slate said.

On Wednesday, Oz called Fetterman to concede defeat, MSNBC said, and the social media mockery followed.

Rumor of moving trucks leaving Dr. Oz’s PA residence, headed for the Jersey border.

— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) November 9, 2022

I just love it that Oz lost.

Love it! pic.twitter.com/2iXRGsoqEm

— Roshan Rinaldi (@Roshan_Rinaldi) November 9, 2022

*Dr Oz furiously dips asparagus into salsa* https://t.co/c13IPCI6Ho

— Kashana (@kashanacauley) November 9, 2022