Trump Endorses Van Epps in Tight TN-7 Race, Claims Democrat Hates Christianity and Country Music

President Donald Trump issued a fervent call to action for voters in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, throwing his full weight behind Republican candidate Matt Van Epps just hours before polls closed on Tuesday.

In a pointed social media post, Trump described Van Epps as a “MAGA Warrior” with his “Complete and Total Endorsement,” while sharply criticizing Democratic opponent Aftyn Behn for allegedly despising core elements of Tennessee culture.

The special election fills a vacancy left by former Republican Rep. Mark Green, who resigned earlier this year to join a private sector role amid policy shifts in Washington.

Van Epps, a West Point graduate and former Tennessee General Services Commissioner under Gov. Bill Lee, positions himself as a staunch conservative focused on veteran affairs and economic growth for Middle Tennessee families.

Behn, a Nashville state representative and Tennessee native, campaigns on expanding healthcare access and protecting reproductive rights, drawing from her background in community organizing.

Trump’s endorsement highlights Van Epps’s supposed devotion to Christianity and country music, contrasting it with Behn’s record to rally conservative turnout in a district that leans Republican but saw narrow margins in recent cycles.

Voters faced clear instructions from Trump to stay in line past 7 p.m. if needed, emphasizing the race’s potential to influence the GOP’s hold on the House.

The district stretches from Nashville suburbs to rural areas, where cultural symbols like faith and music often sway undecided ballots in high-stakes contests.

Such endorsements carry weight in off-year specials, as seen in past races where late surges flipped outcomes by slim percentages.

Trump’s rhetoric aims to energize his base, but it risks alienating moderates in a battleground that includes diverse urban and rural voices.

It is true that Trump provided his endorsement to Van Epps, as confirmed through public statements and campaign filings.

However, the assertion that Behn “has openly stated that she hates” Christianity and country music appears overstated, with no direct quotes uncovered from her public record on those topics.

Behn did face questions over past comments as a private citizen expressing frustration with aspects of Nashville’s scene, which some interpreted as disdain for country music, but she clarified those as personal views unrelated to her campaign.

No evidence supports claims of animosity toward Christianity, a sensitive issue in the Bible Belt where such accusations can amplify without substantiation.

Media reporting for this story: 25% Left | 20% Right | 50% Center | 5% Unrated

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