Trump and GOP Panic as Easy Special Election Slips Away!!!

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2:26Ben Meiselas:Donald Trump and Republicans are panicking that they may lose a critical congressional special election in Tennessee, which is set to take place on December 2nd. This is for Tennessee's 7th congressional district, and it follows the resignation of Republican Congress member Mark Green. While this congressional district was a plus 22 Trump district, we saw the blue tsunami hit earlier in the month of November, and we're seeing a massive trend in this district right now towards the Democratic candidate. And this was confirmed by an Emerson College poll that was released the day before Thanksgiving.

3:12Ben Meiselas:Emerson College polling is a very solid, reliable poll in this area. And what the poll shows is that the MAGA Republican candidate, Matt Van Epps, is only leading the Democratic candidate, Afton Bain, who is a state representative in Tennessee, by two points. So Matt Van Epps is polling at 48%. The Democratic candidate Afton Bain is polling at 46 % with respect to other potential candidates or people who are on the ballot, 2%. And there are 5 % of people who are undecided about this race. And one of the things that we saw with the blue tsunami early in November, the independents, the late breaking voters, the motivated voters who say, you know what, I've got to do something, have ended up voting for the Democratic candidate.

4:08Ben Meiselas:This would be a massive, massive defeat, a massive rebuke of epic proportions for Donald Trump, the Republicans and the MAGA movement. And it could also tip the scale to allow for potentially Democrats to take control of the House of Representatives if we then see a few other resignations take place in the House. But this could begin that spiral following Marjorie Taylor Greene residing last Friday, which Kevin McCarthy, the former Speaker of the House, called a canary in the coal mine that other Republicans are looking to resign. So how do we know also that Trump and the Republicans are panicking?

4:53Ben Meiselas:Well, in this plus 20 plus 22 Trump district, you've got Donald Trump posting the following. I'm asking all American first patriots in Tennessee's seventh congressional district who haven't voted yet. Please get out and vote for MAGA warrior Matt Van Epps tomorrow, November 26th, the last day to vote early in person. You can win this election for Matt. Please, please vote for Matt Van Epps, who has my complete and total endorsement. Stay in line. They must let you vote. Stay in line. And again, this is a plus 22 Trump district, ultra gerrymandered, where a Democrat is within striking distance, within two points.

5:36Ben Meiselas:So let me give you the data points about why this Democratic candidate, Afton Bain, is in striking distance. Well, first, let me just give you a little bit of the demographics of the 7th Congressional District. You have Davidson County, which includes areas of Nashville. Very high turnout early vote right now for the Democratic candidate. Then you have Montgomery County, plus 21, plus 22. Trump now is only plus one Van Epps. We also see low voter enthusiasm among Republicans who feel betrayed by Trump and MAGA. And also, we've seen particularly soybean farmers and farmers hit hard in this congressional district by Donald Trump's trade war against the world, which backfired.

6:24Ben Meiselas:Lots of people in this district are suffering. Their health care is being ripped away. Farmers are suffering. People are paying more. People are pissed. Republicans are not motivated to go out and vote for Van Epps. So this combination of the Democratic county vote surging in the Nashville area and the Republican county area, Montgomery, very low enthusiasm and now only plus one Van Epps. That's what we're seeing now in terms of the candidates, though. Matt Van Epps, typical MAGA. You could like engineer this guy is like a MAGA AI candidate. He talks about bathrooms and culture wars, and he loves Trump's tariffs, and he wants to cover up child sex trafficking rings for the Epstein files.

7:09Ben Meiselas:He doesn't want to release those. So this is who this guy is. And then Afton Bain is a very compelling Democratic candidate, state representative, who's been talking about affordability, actually making government work for people, not against people. So let me give you these data points right here. So Matt Van Epps, the MAGA candidate, he's in full support of price skyrocketing tariffs. Play this clip. On Inside Politics, he said President Trump's popularity remains strong across the 7th Congressional District, which includes 14 counties and many rural areas with soybean farmers hit hard by tariffs.

7:48You support tariffs. I do. I think the president is right in doing this. We've been getting ripped off for a long time. It's been is a really put American businesses and families in a previously in a hard position when he went on this radio show that he thought would be a very friendly show to him.

8:08Ben Meiselas:He said that he supports Trump's budget bill, which he calls the big, beautiful bill. He would have voted in favor of it. And even the host of this radio show is like, I hear you. But don't you think that like it pisses people off that like Donald Trump's out there doing great Gatsby parties and living this lavish life and billionaires are thriving while this screws over like everyday people in Tennessee? Play this clip where I'm a low tax person. I would have voted for the one big, beautiful now law for the number of I mean, locking locking in the largest tax decrease in American history. The problem with that, though, man, is the end of the day, the wealthy, they get to keep all of their taxes permanently.

8:47the middle class, all that stuff phases out. And there's the frustration. I think there's this, you know, the populism that Trump came is they're looking around and going, Hey, Trump and everybody else looks like they're getting wealthy. They're having the big parties. He's got this coins and he's making billions and, and the AI companies and everybody else is going, what about us? The middle class? I thought the whole thing was the middle class feels like they're getting squeezed out of everything.

9:10Ben Meiselas:Now here's where Matt Van Epstein said that he would not really, you know, that he avoided the question about the Epstein files, right? Like this guy's created out of like a MAGA lab. Like he's like a typical Trump sycophant who would just further the pain in Tennessee and attack the people in Tennessee. And it seems like he hates the people in Tennessee, frankly, like a MAGA guy. Here, play this clip. You support the full release of the Epstein files. So I think the speaker has a great plan. And I support the Speaker's plan in this. I'm for full transparency. The Speaker has empowered the Oversight Committee with subpoena power and is taking a deliberate approach so that justice is had and so that the victims are supported.

9:58And Republicans are taking a very deliberate approach here because they want to get it right. There are some Republicans who want it released. President Trump has said there's nothing to see here. Do you agree there's nothing to see? Well, I think the Speaker and the President have said that they are supportive of full transparency in this, and that's my position as well. Then should they be released? I guess the full transparency thing, certainly Democrats would say that's not the case. Even some Republicans would say it's not full transparency. So why not just release the files? What is the concern?

10:32Well, I think Republicans are taking that approach. which I think the Speaker has that plan and through the oversight committee is doing very deliberate investigative work. That's not performative politics. That's actually trying to to solve this issue. Are you concerned that they were tampered with in some way? I guess the deliberative work that's being done by the Speaker is is trying to do what? I mean, the files are there. Why not just release them? I mean, I think it's a they're taking a that global approach with the subpoena power so that they can fully investigate into into the situation and hold those accountable that need to be held accountable for the heinous crimes that happen.

11:15You do hope that at some point it will just be released. I'm for full transparency.

11:20Ben Meiselas:Now, I want to give a hat tip to your community pack that put this ad up right here that talked about who Matt Van Epps is. They used a little cartoon and showed that he is a puppet. He is a stooge of Trump covering up child sex trafficking rings and hurting the people in Tennessee, ruining the people's lives, supporting Donald Trump's tariffs and supporting Donald Trump ripping health care away from people. Here, play this clip. The Epstein files are locked away. Matt Van Epps will keep them that way. Just a hedge fund puppet for the billionaire elite. Bankrolled by their Wall Street cash, he'll give them tax cuts in a flash.

12:01Ben Meiselas:Sports plan that would cut our social security. Matt Van Epps, a hedge fund puppet. Can't trust a word, he'll say, if we want to clean up Washington, we best keep Matt Van Epps away. Your community pack is responsible for the content of this advertising. Are you looking for something simple and delicious to add to your wellness routine? I used to throw regular honey into everything, breakfast bowls, tea, even protein shakes and salad dressings. But once I tried Monocora, regular honey just didn't cut it anymore. Monocora puts every other honey to shame. What sold me first was the richness and creaminess.

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14:03Ben Meiselas:House majority pack, right? The leadership pack from Hakeem Jeffries. They're coming in. Here's the spot that they have on TV. Play this clip. Tennessee's choice, Matt Van Epps versus Afghan Bain. Van Epps wants three things. Cuts to health care benefits, more tariffs driving up costs, tax breaks for billionaires. Afton Bain wants one thing, to lower your costs. She fought to end the grocery tax. In Congress, she'll stand up to both parties to make life more affordable. Want more of the same? That's Matt Van Epps. Want someone who'll fight for you for a change? That's Afton Bain. HMP is responsible for the content of this ad.

14:41Ben Meiselas:And can we just contrast these candidates? Here's Afton Bain's video that she made of herself. Selfie style, knocking on doors, being out in the community, speaking to people, right, with passion. Here, play this clip when she says, I woke up and I'm energized. This poll, this latest poll shows that we're within two points. Let's go. Here, play this clip. Good morning, everyone. State Representative Afton Bain, the 7th Congressional District special election Democratic nominee. It is cold, which is why my coat is so dramatic here in Nashville. But I woke up with the energy of a thousand Dolly Partons and decided to go canvas because a new poll dropped showing us about two points behind my opponent, which is wild.

15:27And I've got the election excitement wiggles as I do. So I decided to jump out of bed, go out and canvas. It's the last day to early vote across the district. So as you are preparing for Thanksgiving, please head to the polls. In some places, polls close at 12. In Davidson County, it's a little longer than that. And if you are coming home from college, guess what? You have the opportunity of a lifetime to flip the congressional district. So here's what you're going to do. You're going to come home. You're going to hug mom and dad. You're going to kiss your pug, kiss the dogs, and then you're going to figure out where to vote.

15:55If you need information, go to Iwillvote.com. Yeah, find your polling place and head out to poll and then sign up for a canvassing shift this weekend. We've got a day of action on the 29th. It's going to be so much fun. And I can't wait to see everyone. Oh my gosh. It's wild, wild times out here. It's the wild, wild bang season. Y 'all can relate. The girlies can relate. All right. Love you guys. Let's go out and win this.

16:17Ben Meiselas:And then compare it to Matt Van Epps, who's like wearing like his, his vest. And he's like, Hey, everybody, we don't like bathrooms. Hey, what do you think about the peepee and the poopy in the bathroom. We don't like that. Hey, men's women's sports. What are you doing? Transgender. Hey, we're transgender people. Hey, right. I mean, it's like, what are you doing? People are suffering and you're doing this stick, this MAGA stick that doesn't work anymore. But here's Van Epps play this clip. My opponent wants new and higher taxes to fund her socialist agenda that will skyrocket our cost of living.

16:55In her own words, she is very radical. She supports transgender surgery for minors without parental consent and believes that men can give birth.

17:05Ben Meiselas:Now, I want to show you this. This is what Matt Van Epps wants in Tennessee, that he wants ICE to go into that district, terrorize the community, and throw people into concentration camps. I guess he's pro-concentration camp in Tennessee. I don't Here, play this clip. The American dream starts with law and order. And so I fully support the president in his initiatives and efforts around around immigration, fully support ICE and their operations to keep America's Americans safe and secure. And so I fully support the operation to deport illegal aliens. And I think that is part of keeping our communities safe.

17:47And I believe in legal immigration and coming in the right way and being in line and going through the process. As a country that supports law and order, that we've got to keep our borders secure. and we've got to work to execute those objectives that the president has outlined and fully support those.

18:12Ben Meiselas:Matt Van Epps running away from the cameras when he was, typical Matt Van Epps when he was asked, why don't you stand up for farmers? What are you doing with the Epstein files? Watch him run away, play this clip. Hey Matt, how are you? I'm going to ask you a couple of questions. We grew a little busy right now. Why do you think it's important to keep supporting the tariffs even when farmers and ranchers? How's the government, sir? Are begging for them to end. Look out. Did you have to promise to keep the Epstein files hidden to get Trump's doors? Matt, are you agreeing that Senator Blackburn funding the SNAP?

18:46Are you going to vote to keep the Epstein files hidden? Help that cover up, Matt? I understand why you're not answering the questions.

18:56Hey, I'm sorry. This is a private event. We're not allowing any media. You're in a public building. Yeah, but it's a private event. That's all right. Matt, why don't you stand up to the farmers and ranchers? Why are you backing the tariffs? How do you pull off 40 billion to Argentina, Matt? 40 billion to Argentina while ranchers and farmers struggle. What do you think about that, Matt? Are you gonna not answer questions? Matt, have you ever had a bugger on your finger? Mark Green at least answers questions every once in a while. He's got a temper, so he answers stuff. So, Matt, are you, are you, are you, are you gonna not answer?

19:30Are you gonna be like all these other Republicans that don't have town halls, don't answer questions, really hard to find. Are you just gonna hide from everybody? Why did billionaires put$2 million into your primary, Matt? What did you have to promise the billionaires to get$2 million to keep Jody Barrett? They didn't want Jody Barrett, huh? The voucher vouchers wanted you in there. They don't want the tariffs. They don't want a bailout. They want trade, not aid. Why did billionaires put$2 million into your race, Matt? That's the real question. What did you have to promise? Are you going to protect the Epstein files?

20:03Is that why?

20:07Ben Meiselas:And then here, Matt Van Epps, like in his robotic AI voice goes, thank you, Donald Trump. I am so grateful for your endorsement. Play this clip. Mr. President, when I get to Congress, I will have your back 100 percent. And I am honored to be endorsed by our commander in chief, President Donald J. Trump. You got more Matt Van Epps running away right here. Matt, funny running into you here, Matt. How are you? How are you? So Afton was on with us yesterday and she said that Speaker Johnson is waiting for you to get there so you can cancel out Adelita Grijalva's vote on the Epstein files. What do you think about that?

20:45Does that sound right to you? Do you think that's Speaker Johnson's plan? Why was it so hard for you to answer the Epstein files question, Matt? Is that is that why they put two million dollars into your race so you would go there and help cover up the Epstein files? This is a simple question. You said you're for transparency. Why not just be strong about that Matt? Why do you have to hem and haw so much? Do you think that's the plan Matt to get you up there to cancel out Adelita Grijalva? The silence thing doesn't work very well. It just makes you look bad. that's what that's what you're gonna learn if you get up there it's better just to give me the line that they gave you whatever line they gave you you should use that line Matt right now this is the time to do it being silent isn't a good look it doesn't work it just makes you look guilty I'm trying to help you just say the line whatever they gave you to say just say it Matt the Epstein files even your own people care about the fc files all right it's great talking to you matt

21:55Ben Meiselas:as always then i had the opportunity to interview the democratic candidate afton bain here's what she told me make this about the affordability crisis that tennessee is experiencing um washington is making our affordability crisis worse and working families in tennessee are getting crushed everywhere utility bills housing groceries um everything is going up and the republican Republican, Washington Republicans do not have the solution to fix it. And so for me, I decided to jump in this race after the passage of the big, ugly bill. It was a breaking point because it codified the greatest transfer of wealth in American history.

22:32And I'm running because Tennessee deserves someone who will stand up for working people and not corporate donors.