Franklin, Tennessee woke up buzzing with political electricity this morning as supporters poured into the sprawling outdoor grounds for one of the largest Get Out the Vote rallies the district has seen in years. Before the sun had fully risen, volunteers holding red, white, and blue signs lined the streets, waving at early commuters and shouting reminders that today’s vote could reshape the balance of power in Washington.

The rally was for one man: Matt Van Epps, the GOP candidate aiming to hold a critical House seat that Republicans cannot afford to lose. But the real shock came minutes after the event began, when U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson took the stage — and brought with him an unexpected voice that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Johnson held up his phone, switched on the microphone, and said:

“Tennessee, we have someone who wants to speak to you directly.”

There was a heartbeat of silence…

And then a familiar voice thundered across the loudspeakers:

“Hello Tennessee! Hello Franklin!”

It was President Donald Trump, speaking live over the call.

The crowd erupted — cheering, clapping, chanting his name with the energy of a stadium. Trump didn’t waste a second.

“We need Matt Van Epps in Congress,” Trump said.

“This race is critical. This seat is critical. And holding the House is absolutely essential to saving our country.”

Speaker Johnson stepped forward and repeated the message with urgency.

He reminded the crowd that Tennessee’s influence goes far beyond its borders — that a victory here strengthens the entire GOP’s ability to govern, defend its agenda, and block what he called “a radical legislative wave” from Democrats.

“Turnout is everything,” Johnson emphasized. “Nothing happens if our people don’t show up.”

He then laid out concrete steps — actions every single person listening could take today, right now, in the final hours before polls close.

And as he listed them, volunteers passed out flyers labeled:

“WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY TO HELP MATT VAN EPPS WIN.”

Here Are the Four Actions Speaker Johnson Urged Every Supporter to Take

1. CALL Your Friends, Family, and Neighbors — ESPECIALLY in Key Areas

Johnson’s voice boomed over the crowd:

“If you know ANYONE in Fairview, Thompson’s Station, western Franklin, Williamson County, or District 7 — CALL THEM.”

He emphasized that personal reminders are far more powerful than automated messages or mass texts.

A grandmother in the crowd held up her phone and shouted, “I already called nine people!” — drawing laughter and applause.

2. Make Easy, Automated Reminder Calls

Volunteers set up stations under white tents where attendees could log onto a phone system that automatically connects them to registered voters.

One volunteer explained:

“You just press one button, and it calls for you. It’s simple. It’s fast. And every call counts.”

Johnson told the audience that over 3,000 voters in the district had not yet committed to turning out — and that these automated calls could flip a razor-thin race.

3. Knock Doors — “Face-to-Face Matters”

Hundreds of door-knocking packets were stacked on tables, each filled with maps, addresses, and short conversation scripts. Johnson encouraged everyone, from teenagers to retirees, to sign up.

“Door-knocking wins close elections,” he said.

“People need to feel your energy. They need to hear why Matt matters.”

Van Epps himself stepped on stage later in the morning and thanked those who had already been knocking doors for weeks. He told the crowd that many undecided voters had been convinced not by ads, but by neighbors showing up on their porch.

4. Wave Signs at Polling Locations

As soon as the rally ended, dozens of supporters spread out to intersections and precincts, holding giant MATT VAN EPPS signs. Horns honked nonstop as cars passed — some enthusiastic, some irritated, all signs that people were paying attention.

One couple told local reporters:

“People forget it’s Election Day. Seeing signs reminds them instantly.”

That, Johnson said, could be the difference between winning and losing.

Why This Race Matters So Much

Speaker Johnson didn’t mince words:

“If we lose this seat, Republicans could lose the House — not next year, not after midterms, but NOW.”

The margin in Congress is razor-thin, and Democrats are aggressively targeting districts like this one. A loss here would not only weaken Johnson’s speakership but also derail key legislative priorities Trump is pushing from the campaign trail.

Trump added on the call:

“Winning in Tennessee sends a message. Losing here sends a disaster.”

The crowd nodded, clapped, and shouted back.

Momentum Builds, But the Stakes Rise

As the rally wrapped up, volunteers rushed into action. Phone banks filled instantly. Door-knocking groups formed within minutes. Cars lined up to drive supporters to polling stations.

The atmosphere was part festival, part mission, part emergency.

Everyone seemed to understand the same thing:

The election will not be decided by TV ads.

It will not be decided by speeches.

It will be decided by turnout — by neighbors reminding neighbors that their vote matters today.

And in Franklin, Tennessee, under a crisp morning sky, hundreds of people took that message personally.

The question now is simple:

Will it be enough?