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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump weighs in on competitive Tennessee special election: 'The whole world is watching'

Trump and other Republican-aligned groups are backing Van Epps in a closely watched special election.

Trump weighs in on competitive Tennessee special election: 'The whole world is watching'
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This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026

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Republished from The Tennessean, with credit to the original publisher.

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Yahoo Newsvia The Tennessean
Dec 1, 2025
tl;dr

President Donald Trump called into a rally to endorse Matt Van Epps ahead of Tennessee’s competitive 7th District special election. The race could affect Republicans’ narrow House majority and is being watched as a signal of party strength before the 2026 midterms.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Matt Van Epps R · TN-7
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Van Epps in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Van Epps’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Matt Van Epps
R · TN-7

Republican nominee in Tennessee’s 7th District special election

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Van Epps and urged voters to support him

Trump's version of this story ↗
Aftyn Behn
D · TN

Democratic nominee in Tennessee’s 7th District special election

Behn's version of this story ↗

U.S. representative from Texas backing Behn

Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

U.S. House Speaker who was on the call with Trump

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

Former vice president who rallied for Behn

ALSO MENTIONED  David Hogg, Former DNC vice chairman backing Behn; Ken Martin, DNC chairman backing Behn; Rachel Campbell, Tennessee Democratic Party chair commenting on the race

Part of a bigger story

7 OUTLETS
Trump Urges Support for Matt Van Epps Ahead of Tennessee Special Election

Outlets agree that President Donald Trump urged Tennessee voters to support Republican Matt Van Epps before the special House election. Center outlets frame the race as competitive and politically consequential, with several including responses from Democrats or Behn. Right-leaning outlets center Trump's endorsement and turnout appeal, with some also foregrounding his attacks on Behn.

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