A bar in the deeply conservative US state of Idaho has ignited a fierce national debate with a controversial social media promotion offering free beer in exchange for information leading to the deportation of undocumented migrants.
A Viral Offer and its Immediate Backlash
On Saturday evening, the Old State Saloon in Eagle posted a message on X that quickly went viral, amassing over 3.6 million views in under 24 hours. The establishment pledged a free month of beer to anyone who assists US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in identifying and deporting an 'illegal' from Idaho.
To claim the offer, individuals were instructed to send photographic or video evidence to a dedicated email address: deportations@oldstatesaloon.com. The bar subsequently shared some of the tips it received, which allegedly encouraged law enforcement to target specific locations in the Boise area, including a hotel and an apartment complex.
High-Profile Reactions and Owner's Profile
The post garnered significant attention, including from the highest levels of the previous administration. The Department of Homeland Security under President Donald Trump shared the saloon's post, accompanying it with a GIF from the 1990s sitcom Dinosaurs featuring a character dropping his drink in apparent shock and approval.
The bar enthusiastically replied, 'Let's go! Deport them all!' Reports indicate that at least one person has already qualified for the free beer offer.
This is not the first time the Old State Saloon has courted online controversy. In June 2024, the bar gained notoriety for offering to commemorate 'heterosexual awareness month' during LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
The bar's owner, Mark Fitzpatrick, describes himself on his Zillow profile as 'a Christian, conservative, Constitution supporter, retired police officer, and family man'.
Mixed Public Response and Platform Censorship
The promotion was met with a sharply divided response. While the post on X received overwhelmingly positive comments, with one user calling it 'awesome' and hoping other businesses would follow suit, it also sparked considerable outrage.
The bar reported a wave of one-star reviews on Google, which it dismissed as coming from 'the loser LEFT'. Furthermore, the establishment noted a stark difference in how social media platforms handled the content. While the post thrived on X, the identical offer posted on Facebook was removed by Meta, which also targeted other previous posts on the bar's page.
This incident highlights the deeply polarised nature of the immigration enforcement debate in the United States, where grassroots commercial gestures can rapidly escalate into national political flashpoints.
