Fetterman quotes – Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) struck back at Larry David after the comedian called the UFC’s White House-adjacent fight card a “travesty,” saying he should “get over himself” and wrapping the criticism in a line from 1981’s “Stripes.”
Sen. John Fetterman didn’t just disagree with Larry David’s take on the UFC fight card outside the White House—he turned it into an ’80s movie callback.
Fetterman. speaking on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. was asked to respond to David. the comedian and writer behind Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. who had described the event as a “travesty.” David made the comments when speaking with Variety at the premiere of his new show. Life. Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America.
David said of the UFC card, “It was a travesty.” He added, “What else can you say about it? It was embarrassing. I was embarrassed to be an American.” The event was also framed as a celebration of the 250th birthday of America.
Fetterman’s reply wasn’t subtle. He went back to 1981 and the Bill Murray-starring film Stripes. “I’d say lighten up, Francis,” he said.
In Stripes. a character named Francis—played by Conrad Dunn—tells the other soldiers he wants to be called “psycho” and that he’ll kill anyone for calling him Francis. When the situation escalates into a long list of threats, Sgt. Hulka. played by Warren Oates. shuts it down with the line. “Lighten up. Francis.” The film also features Harold Ramis. who co-wrote the screenplay. along with John Candy and others in early roles.
The exchange took a turn when the reporter—TMZ DC’s Jacob Wasserman—didn’t seem to catch the reference. Wasserman asked about “Francis” multiple times.
Fetterman kept pushing. He told David to “get over himself.” As he entered an elevator, he repeated his point: “Hey, I’m proud to be an American, and if you are embarrassed or whatever because of a UFC thing, get over yourself, dude!”
The senator’s defense of the UFC event. and his choice of a comedy line aimed at shutting down a hyper-critical mood. landed with the kind of bluntness that tends to travel quickly in Washington—especially when the criticism comes from a household name and the target is an American celebration played out in public.
John Fetterman Larry David UFC White House Stripes Bill Murray Seinfeld Curb Your Enthusiasm Conrad Dunn Warren Oates
lol “lighten up Francis” like that’s gonna fix the UFC thing
I don’t even know what happened at the fight card but if Larry David said travesty then of course it was a mess. Fetterman quoting a movie feels random though, like why not just explain instead of doing the Bill Murray line?
Wait so Fetterman is mad at Larry David for calling it embarrassing? I thought the point was it happened near the White House so it’s literally a “White House adjacent” event or whatever. Also Stripes is from 1980-something right? Not sure why the reporter kept saying Francis, I mean isn’t that just like a common name or something.
The whole thing is weird. Like why are politicians and comedians fighting about UFC like it’s the end of democracy. I swear I saw this clip and someone said “psycho” too?? Maybe I’m mixing it up with something else. Either way, if you’re embarrassed to be American because of a fight card then get over yourself seems harsh but also kinda true? Idk.