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◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

Trump, Johnson Rush To Aid Tennessee GOP In Shockingly Tight Special Election

Trump joined the Nashville rally by phone to support Van Epps and urge Republican voters to turn out.

Trump, Johnson Rush To Aid Tennessee GOP In Shockingly Tight Special Election
Image · National Memo

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Outlet credibilityNational Memo49/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026

Credibility rates National Memo, where this article appeared. The other scores rate the article itself.

Original publisher not identified

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National Memooriginal publisher not identified
Dec 2, 2025
tl;dr

President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned for Republican Matt Van Epps as he faced a close special election against Democrat Aftyn Behn. The article presents the contest as an early test of Republican strength and Trump’s influence.

Community verdict

27 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States

Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 11

● OPEN
Votes cast on this page

Votes cast on this page: ▲ 0 · ◆ 0 · ▼ 0

People in this story

SWIPE →
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President campaigning for Van Epps

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Aftyn Behn
D · TN

Democratic candidate in the Tennessee special election

Behn's version of this story ↗
Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

House Speaker campaigning for Van Epps

Johnson's version of this story ↗
Matt Van Epps
R · TN-7

Republican candidate in the Tennessee special election

Van Epps's version of this story ↗
Mark E. Green
Former U.S. Representative (R-TN)

Former representative whose seat became vacant after he resigned

House Minority Leader whom Johnson named while criticizing Behn

Kamala Harris
Former U.S. Senator (D-CA)

Former Vice President who rallied voters for Behn

Representative whom Johnson named while criticizing Behn; reportedly expected to headline a rally for Behn

Part of a bigger story

11 OUTLETS
Matt Van Epps Defeats Aftyn Behn in Tennessee Special Election

Matt Van Epps defeated Aftyn Behn in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special election, and Donald Trump campaigned for Van Epps. Left-leaning outlets frame the close contest as a test of Republican strength and Trump’s influence. Center outlets report the win and Trump’s support, with several also stressing the closer-than-expected margin and its possible implications for Republicans. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Van Epps’s victory and Trump’s role in rallying Republicans, with one celebrating the result.

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