Trump Urges Tennessee Voters to Support Matt Van Epps in Special Election

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — November 30, 2025 — Former President Donald Trump called on voters in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District to support Republican candidate Matt Van Epps in the upcoming special election on December 2. In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged “all America First Patriots in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, who haven’t voted yet, to please GET OUT AND VOTE.”

Trump criticized Van Epps’ Democratic opponent, state Representative Aftyn Behn, accusing her of opposing Christianity, advocating for gun control, supporting open borders, endorsing transgender participation in sports, and expressing disdain for country music. “She said all of these things precisely, and without question — IT’S ON TAPE!” Trump stated, warning voters not to take the race for granted.

The former president described Van Epps as “one of the best Candidates we’ve ever had” and said the Radical Left Democrats were spending heavily to defeat him. Trump concluded his message by giving Van Epps his “Complete and Total Endorsement” and assuring voters that Van Epps “WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

Matt Van Epps is a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard and a former Army helicopter pilot. He was formally endorsed by Trump earlier this year and called the support “an incredible honor.”

Aftyn Behn, a Democratic state representative from Nashville, has drawn national attention for her past comments, including criticism of police and a previous stance advocating for defunding the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. She has also expressed dislike for country music and Nashville’s drinking culture.

Last week, Behn was asked on MS NOW’s “The Weekend” to clarify her 2020 tweets critical of police, which she has since deleted. The host questioned whether she still stood by those comments or wished to clarify them.

The special election follows the resignation of Congressman Mark Green, which has further reduced the House GOP majority. The race is viewed as significant for control in the U.S. House of Representatives.