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It’s not controversial to love America — so why are people fired for saying it?

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July 4, 2026. It’s America’s 250th birthday, and you’re on an incline tram climbing up Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The conductor takes the microphone and says, “To the very, very few Americans in here, Happy Independence Day.”

He then adds, “To the rest of you, welcome to the greatest country on the face of the planet, and if you disagree, you can leave.”

Do you laugh, pump your fist and proudly sing a line of Rick Derringer’s “Real American”? Or do you complain to the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, which operates the ride?

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Offended passenger Nathan Scherer chose the latter — along with posting a petty video that has gone viral.

In the end, conductor Jack Peterson was the one told to leave. Fired over a simple love-it-or-leave-it sentiment.

On TikTok, Scherer added the sensational hashtags........

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