Trump’s Influence in Tennessee’s Special Election

In Tennessee, President Donald Trump is closely watching a critical special election. On Tuesday, voters in the 7th Congressional District will finalize their decision to succeed retiring Republican Rep. Mark Green. The choice stands between Trump ally Matt Van Epps and Democrat Aftin Behn, who has faced various controversies.

During a recent conversation with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Trump expressed strong support for Van Epps, describing him as a “winner.” He warned, “Don’t let this fool you. The Democrats are spending a lot of money,” indicating a fierce campaign on the other side.

Trump also articulated two primary reasons he believes voters should reject Behn, regardless of their personal beliefs or political views. “She hates Christianity. She hates country music,” he stated. “How on earth can you elect someone like that?”

The President’s remarks underline some of the issues that have tarnished Behn’s reputation, including her past comments against Nashville, the city she aims to represent. In her own words, she has stated disdain for various aspects of the city, raising eyebrows among potential constituents.

Behn previously faced backlash for her tweets during the 2020 protests, where she seemed to condone acts of vandalism, such as the burning of police stations. Notably, she had tweeted, “Good morning, especially to the 54% of Americans who believe burning police stations is justified.”

Further complicating her image, a resurfaced video captures Behn and several Democratic legislators being forcibly removed from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s office during a protest in 2019. Her reaction in the video—kicking and screaming before collapsing in tears—has now become a point of contention in the campaign.

As the election approaches, it’s clear that both candidates are experiencing intense scrutiny, with varying opinions among voters on key issues affecting the state.