Stagecoach followers break up on whether or not Trump has US headed in the fitting course

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In a dusty nook of the California desert, the nationwide anthem performs on loudspeakers, awakening patriots for an additional day at one of many largest nation music festivals on the earth.

Stagecoach – headlined this yr by Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Put up Malone – attracts roughly 80,000 folks a day to Indio, Calif., to hearken to a number of the greatest names in nation music.

Fox Information Digital spoke with competition goers in regards to the state of the nation, whether or not the American dream continues to be achievable and what points must be addressed forward of America’s 250th birthday.

Stagecoach attendees have been break up when requested whether or not the nation is headed in the fitting course as opinions stay combined over President Donald Trump's battle with Iran.

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Fox Information Digital spoke with Stagecoach competition goers in regards to the state of the nation forward of America’s 250th birthday. (Nora Moriarty)

"I believe the Iran Conflict is a complete waste of our assets," Cole Stern mentioned. "Nevertheless, I'd nonetheless say when it comes to locations the place I am actually glad to stay, and locations the place I can chase my desires - this is likely one of the greatest locations to try this."

"We have to maintain ourselves first earlier than we begin worrying about all people else." Abel Flores mentioned. "We're self-sufficient, we should always in all probability simply do this for some time."

"It's heading in a positive course, however not nice in my view," Dan Payne mentioned.

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"I'd say 50-50 proper now," mentioned Annette Flores. "I do not agree with some stuff that is happening, I do agree with others, but it surely's fairly break up."

Pageant goer Zach Maurus, nevertheless, mentioned Trump’s entry into the Center East battle comes with the territory of American army dominance.

President Donald Trump confirmed the U.S. launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, and is reportedly contemplating backing militias to topple the regime. (The White Home through X Account/Anadolu through Getty Pictures/Contributor/Getty Pictures)

"We lead in innovation by far, like there is not any nation that compares," Maurus instructed Fox Information Digital. "Clearly, we're a hegemony like militarily so we're gonna need to be concerned in worldwide politics and like that has its prices of being concerned in worldwide conflicts, which is simply a part of being essentially the most dominant army on earth."

Regardless of considerations over the Iran Conflict, most Stagecoach attendees had comparatively excessive rankings for the state of America when requested to price the nation from one to 10.

"I'd say an eight proper now," Abel Flores mentioned. "I believe there's plenty of issues which might be taking place proper now which might be simply making it so unstable."

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"I believe it is about an eight, truthfully. I believe is a good nation. I find it irresistible," Payne mentioned. "However I do see alternatives for enchancment. I believe it might be a lot better than it's. If we study to just accept one another slightly bit extra...I believe it may undoubtedly be an 11."

Stagecoach attendees Stern and Maurus expressed extra favorable rankings, pointing to non-public freedoms as justification for his or her good tens.

"I'd price it a ten and primarily as a result of even in case you're left or proper, no matter, you do have the liberty to do no matter you need and that's one thing that's not accessible to most individuals on this world," Stern mentioned.

Pageant goers attend the 2026 Stagecoach Pageant at Empire Polo Membership on April 24, 2026, in Indio, California. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Pictures for Stagecoach)

"I am gonna say 10," Maurus added. "I believe America is the freest nation on the earth. Clearly there are issues, but it surely's nonetheless the freest nation. We've freedom of speech, we've got the power to sort of take advantage of out of our lives and I do not suppose that is true about different nations."

Stagecoach attendees went on to inform Fox Information Digital in regards to the points they imagine want fixing earlier than America’s 250th birthday, pointing to considerations starting from abroad battle to political division at dwelling.

"The Strait of Hormuz, we gotta repair the oil markets, they're loopy," mentioned Maurus. "I believe we simply need to open the strait, whatever the Iran Conflict, that is a separate problem. The principle problem is simply ensuring that oil would not go above 100 a barrel."

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"I believe America wants to return, we have to grow to be one once more and never so towards one another," Annette Flores mentioned. "The precise versus the left, I believe it might be higher if we simply all got here collectively and supported everybody and respect everybody else's opinion."

Fox Information Digital additionally requested festivalgoers whether or not the American dream continues to be achievable, significantly amongst youthful generations looking for their footing in an financial system with homeownership out of attain for a lot of.

Roughly 80,000 folks attended the three-day nation music competition in 2026 with headliners Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Put up Malone. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Pictures for Stagecoach)

"I believe it is achievable. It is undoubtedly more durable," Payne mentioned. "I've a 22-year-old daughter. I do know the sort of struggles that the youthful era are going to return by so far as making an attempt to purchase a home and to get that American dream. It's achievable, it might be finished a lot, a lot better although."

"I need to begin an organization. I need run a enterprise, and I'd that is in all probability the perfect place I may do this," Stern mentioned.

Different attendees raised considerations that rising applied sciences like synthetic intelligence may complicate the trail to the American dream.

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"In 2026, sure," Maurus added. "We'll see how lengthy that lasts given if AI automates every little thing, then the job market will in all probability be fairly, fairly tousled. However for now... for the hopefully subsequent few years, sure."

Stagecoach attendees used phrases like variety, freedom and patriotism to explain America of their conversations with Fox Information Digital, and one concertgoer highlighted a patriotic second that unfolds on the competition's campsite daily at 6 a.m.

The American flag is pictured atop an RV on the Stagecoach campgrounds. Stagecoach attendees can camp in a single day on the competition grounds in tents or RVs throughout the three-day competition. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Instances through Getty Pictures)

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"We're tenting right here and the nationwide anthem performs within the morning. Everyone stops what they're doing and respects that, in order that’s superior," Abel Flores mentioned.

As America nears its 250th birthday, Stagecoach goers counsel the nation continues to be wrestling with challenges however expressed hope for what it may well grow to be.