Stagecoach fans are divided on whether Trump is headed in the right direction

In a dusty corner of the California desert, the national anthem plays over the loudspeakers, awakening patriots to another day at one of the world’s largest country music festivals.

Stagecoach — headlined this year by Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Post Malone — draws nearly 80,000 people a day to Indio, Calif., to hear some of country music’s biggest stars.

Fox News Digital spoke to festival-goers about the state of the country, whether the American dream is still possible and what issues need to be addressed before America’s 250th birthday.

Stagecoach attendees were divided when asked if the country is headed in the right direction as opinions are still mixed about President Donald Trump’s war with Iran.

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“I think the Iran War is a complete waste of our resources,” Cole Stern said. “However, I’m still going to say about the places I’m most excited to live, and the places I can chase my dreams — this is one of the best places to do that.”

“We have to take care of ourselves first before we start worrying about someone else.” Abel Flores said. “We can be independent, we have to do that for a while.”

“It’s going to a good place, but it’s not a good thing in my opinion,” Dan Payne said.

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“I’d say 50-50 right now,” Annette Flores said. “I don’t agree with some things that are happening, I agree with others, but they are very different.”

Festival host Zach Maurus, however, said Trump’s involvement in Middle East conflicts comes at the expense of America’s military dominance.

President Donald Trump confirmed that the US launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, and is reportedly considering supporting the military to overthrow the regime. (White House via X account/Anadolu via Getty Images/Contributor/Getty Images)

“We are leading the way in innovation, like no other country can compare,” Marus told Fox News Digital. “Obviously, we’re a military state so we’re going to have to be involved in international politics and so there’s a cost to being involved in international conflicts, which is just part of being the military that dominates the world.”

Despite concerns about the Iran War, most Stagecoach attendees had very high ratings for America when asked to rate the country from one to ten.

“I’d say eight right now,” Abel Flores said. “I think there are a lot of things going on right now that make it very difficult.”

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“I think it’s about eight, honestly. I think it’s a beautiful country. I love it,” Payne said. “But I see opportunities for improvement. I think it could be a lot better than it is. If we learn to accept each other a little bit…I think it could be 11.”

Stagecoach attendees Stern and Maurus expressed more favorable ratings, pointing to personal freedom as the justification for their perfect scores.

“I would rate it out of 10 and mostly because whether you’re left or right, whatever, you have the freedom to do whatever you want and that’s something not many people in the world get,” Stern said.

Festival goers attend the 2026 Stagecoach Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 24, 2026, in Indio, California. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Stagecoach)

“I’ll say 10,” Marus said. “I think America is the freest country in the world. Obviously there are problems, but it’s still a free country. We have freedom of speech, we have the ability to do more with our lives and I don’t think that’s true of other countries.”

Stagecoach attendees went on to tell Fox News Digital about the issues they believe need to be addressed ahead of America’s 250th birthday, pointing to concerns ranging from conflicts abroad to political divisions at home.

“The Strait of Hormuz, we have to fix the oil markets, they are crazy,” Marus said. “I think we should open the strait, regardless of the Iran War, it’s a different problem. The biggest problem is just making sure that the oil does not exceed 100 per barrel.”

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“I think America needs to come, we need to come together and not be against each other,” said Annette Flores. “Right versus left, I think it would be better if we could all come together and support everybody and respect everybody’s opinion.”

Fox News Digital also asked fans of the festival if the American dream is still possible, especially for younger generations trying to find their place in an economy where home ownership is out of reach for many.

About 80,000 people attended the three-day country music event in 2026 with headliners Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Post Malone. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach)

“I think it’s doable. It’s really hard,” Payne said. “I have a 22-year-old daughter. I know the kind of struggles the new generation will face trying to buy a house and get that American dream. It’s achievable, it can be done much, much better.”

“I want to start a company. I want to run a business, and I would like this to be probably the best place to do that,” Stern said.

Some attendees expressed concern that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence could complicate the path to the American dream.

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“In 2026, yes,” said Marus. “We’ll see how long that takes if AI changes everything, then the job market is probably going to be pretty, really messy. But for now … hopefully in the next few years, yes.”

Stagecoach attendees used words like diversity, freedom and patriotism to describe America in their interviews with Fox News Digital, and one concertgoer highlighted the patriotic moment seen in the festival camps every day at 6 a.m.

An American flag is pictured on top of an RV at the Stagecoach campgrounds. Stagecoach attendees can park overnight on the festival grounds in tents or RVs during the three-day festival. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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“We’re camping here and the national anthem is playing in the morning. Everyone stops what they’re doing and respects that, so that’s good,” said Abel Flores.

As America approaches its 250th birthday, Stagecoach attendees suggested the country still faces challenges but expressed hope for what could be.

Next year will bring another chapter to the nation, and at Stagecoach, the national anthem will once again greet campers at sunrise.