President Donald Trump has thrown down the gauntlet, calling on his loyal base to storm the polls for a critical special election in Tennessee.
Fox News reported that on Sunday afternoon, Trump issued a passionate plea from Mar-a-Lago before heading to Washington, D.C., urging supporters to back Republican Matt Van Epps in the tight race for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District seat, set for Tuesday.
This seat, stretching from the Kentucky border to Alabama and touching parts of north and west Nashville, was left open by retiring Republican Rep. Mark Green, who stepped down on July 21 to lead Prosimo, a cloud-computing firm focused on curbing Chinese Communist Party influence online.
Trump didn’t hold back, framing this election as a battle against a progressive agenda that he believes threatens core American values.
“I am asking all America First Patriots in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, who haven't voted yet, to please GET OUT AND VOTE on Election Day, Tuesday, December 2nd, for a phenomenal Candidate, Matt Van Epps,” Trump declared on Truth Social.
That’s a direct challenge to his base, and it’s clear he sees this as a must-win to protect a fragile Republican edge in the House.
Turning his attention to Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn, Trump highlighted what he views as her divisive stances on key issues like faith, Second Amendment rights, border security, transgender policies, and even cultural touchstones like country music.
“Matt is fighting against a woman who hates Christianity, will take away your guns, wants Open Borders, Transgender for everybody, men in women's sports, and openly disdains Country music,” Trump stated on Truth Social.
While those are fighting words, the underlying concern for many conservatives is whether Behn’s documented remarks—Trump insists they’re on tape—align with the values of a district known for its traditional roots.
Democrats are pouring resources into this race, sensing an opportunity to flip the seat and chip away at the Republican House majority, currently sitting at 219 to 213 with three vacancies nationwide.
The latest Emerson College poll shows a neck-and-neck contest, proof that every vote counts in a district that’s become a political battleground.
For Republicans, losing this seat would be a gut punch, especially when control of Congress hangs by a thread.
Mark Green’s departure to tackle tech influence from foreign powers like the Chinese Communist Party underscores why conservatives see this election as more than just a local fight—it’s about national priorities.
Democrats, meanwhile, are banking on their heavy investment to sway voters, hoping to turn the tide in a region that’s long leaned right.
Trump’s rallying cry isn’t just about Van Epps; it’s a reminder that in today’s polarized climate, every seat shapes the future of policy debates, from border security to cultural values, and conservatives can’t afford to sit this one out.
