Idaho bar’s free beer for ICE tips ad goes viral, sparking outrage and support

Idaho bar owner Mark Fitzpatrick said his lounge was flooded with both praise and outrage after a promotion offering a “free beer” to anyone who helps Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) identify and deport an illegal immigrant went viral.

The trailer for Old State Saloon, which aired on X on November 29, was viewed nearly 8 million times. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also reposted it, causing a stir and prompting online attacks, including threats to burn down the business and kill its outspoken owner.

“We’re really no strangers to speaking out boldly about conservative Christian values ​​and truth at the Old State Saloon and putting the truth out there,” Fitzpatrick told Fox News Digital, adding that speaking out in a world full of “deception” and “evil” causes people to be “really upset.”“

Fitzpatrick said his bar’s first controversial promotion came in 2024, when it launched “Straight Awesomeness Month,” which included discounts and free beer for straight men, women and couples throughout June in response to Pride Month.

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Salon owner says his latest idea was inspired by former President Joe Biden’s four-year-old immigration policies, He describes them as “an absolute disaster that has encouraged some of the worst people in the world to come to this country”“

Although his promotion was intended to promote the efforts of law enforcement and ICE, Fitzpatrick said it quickly came under attack online, with Hall publishing several social media posts this week featuring people who strongly oppose his conservative ideology.

““What liberals want to do is attack you,” he said. “They start attacking you and they start calling you names.“

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Fitzpatrick said his family had been threatened and he had received “disgusting” text messages and voicemails, including threats to burn down his bar.

“People openly say I should die for this,” he said. “It’s really very despicable.“

Fitzpatrick urged anyone who had been denied a promotion to visit his pub, suggesting that “if any of these liberals were actually willing to come and talk” they would meet someone who would “sit down and talk to them and listen to what they have to say”.

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Old State Saloon has introduced opportunities to celebrate “Straight Awesomeness Month” in June 2024. (Old State Hall)

Fitzpatrick remains unimpressed, saying the negative comments only make him want to “double down.” The lounge also continued to roll out new promotions throughout the month, including “Manly American Monday,” where men who support ICE get free beer just for walking in the door.

The bar is also offering free beer to women who call ICE on Tuesdays and “showing off” about illegal immigrants, and a Wednesday special that cuts 10% off the bill for heterosexual couples.

“To me, they’re kind of publicly exposing their evil to us and showing us who they are,” Fitzpatrick said, referring to the online attacks and threats he has received.

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On Nov. 29, a bar in Idaho offered patrons free beer if they helped Immigration and Customs Enforcement track down and deport an illegal immigrant. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images;Istock)

Fitzpatrick also received “overwhelming support”, including encouraging mail and cards amid negativity and threats.

“When I’m in my living room after a long day of dealing with evil and all the calls and everything else, people are just there to come and meet me and support me and encourage me,” she said.

Fitzpatrick doesn’t expect many customers to demand freebies, but he said Ryan Spoon, vice chairman of the Ada County Republican Central Committee in Idaho, claimed the right after providing evidence that he helped ICE make an arrest.

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Old State Saloon offered free beer to customers who helped Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deport illegal immigrants. (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Fitzpatrick added that the promotion “isn’t really about the beers.”

““I think the way this works is to bring attention to the issue and have conversations happen,” he said.