Aftyn Behn’s recent comments have ignited controversy after a recording surfaced showing her expressing hostility toward Nashville, the city she represents in the state legislature and would represent as part of Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District if elected to Congress. The video reveals her stating, “I hate the city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville an ‘it city’ to the rest of the country. I hate it.”
Behn’s rant extends beyond mere criticism of tourist attractions; it represents a dismissive attitude toward Nashville’s cultural identity. She criticizes country music—the art form defining the city and giving voice to millions—while also targeting symbols of a vibrant tourism industry that supports jobs and fuels the local economy. The hypocrisy is striking, as Behn recently released a campaign ad featuring herself posing with a mechanical bull while a country tune plays, willingly embracing Nashville’s aesthetic to fool voters despite her deep-seated resentment.
This disdain for her own community is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, Behn boasted on social media about “bullying” ICE agents and state troopers enforcing federal immigration law, interfering with law enforcement and treating national security as a joke. Her contempt extends to her entire state, as reported by the Daily Mail, where she branded Tennessee a “racist state” and called sororities “a staple of white supremacy.” This reflects a far-left activist worldview, not a public servant’s.
Behn’s response to the fallout has only deepened the controversy. Instead of offering a sincere apology, she made absurd claims, insisting she couldn’t hate Nashville because she has “cried in the Country Music Hall of Fame no less than 10 times,” and dismissed the outrage as the “Republican eye of Sauron” turning on her. This arrogant reaction highlights her belief she is above accountability, a mindset nurtured during her time at the $27,000-per-year Webb School in Knoxville. From her expensive prep school to her political campaign, Behn has demonstrated the classic condescension of a privileged elite looking down on everyday Americans.
The special election on December 2nd presents a stark choice. Voters can choose Matt Van Epps, a National Guard veteran who has served his country and state with honor, or Aftyn Behn, a radical activist who has proven, in her own words, that she holds nothing but contempt for the city, culture, and people she wants to represent. A community cannot be led by someone who despises it.
