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◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

Trump tries to dial up Republican votes on eve of US House special election in Tennessee

Trump called Tennessee voters to support Van Epps ahead of the special election.

Trump tries to dial up Republican votes on eve of US House special election in Tennessee
Image · Winnipeg Free Press

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Outlet credibilityWinnipeg Free Press89/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026

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Winnipeg Free Pressoriginal publisher not identified
Dec 2, 2025
tl;dr

President Donald Trump called Tennessee voters to support Republican Matt Van Epps ahead of a closely watched special election, while Democrats campaigned for Aftyn Behn. The race drew national attention as both parties looked to its implications for control of Congress.

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 Republican candidate Matt 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 Republican representative for the district

Bill Hagerty
R · TN · SEN

Tennessee senator supporting Van Epps

Marsha Blackburn
R · TN · SEN

Tennessee senator supporting Van Epps

House Minority Leader commenting on the race

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

Former vice president who rallied voters in Nashville

Representative campaigning with Behn

ALSO MENTIONED  Al Gore, Former vice president campaigning with Behn; Bill Lee, Tennessee governor supporting Van Epps; Joe Gruters, National Republican Party chairman supporting Van Epps; Ken Martin, National Democratic Party chairman who visited the district

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.

Discussion · 0

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