By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
A country-themed bar in the deep red state of Idaho delighted the Trump administration and some conservatives with its latest social media stunt on Saturday evening.
Old State Saloon, a watering hole in Eagle, pledged free beer for one month to anyone who ‘helps ICE identify and ultimately deport an illegal from Idaho,’ in an X post that went viral, garnering over 3.6 million views in under 24 hours.
Individuals attempting to stake a claim to a month of free beer are being asked to send evidence, including photos and videos, to deportations@oldstatesaloon.com.
The bar shared some of the messages they had received with alleged tips, encouraging law enforcement to target a hotel and an apartment complex in the vicinity of Boise, Idaho.
The post even drew the attention of President Donald Trump‘s Department of Homeland Security, which shared it with a GIF of Earl Sinclair, the main character from the family sitcom Dinosaurs that aired from 1991 to 1994, dropping his drink and jaw in a clip, seemingly approving of the offer.
The bar replied to the DHS post: ‘Let’s go! Deport them all!’ Atleast one person has qualified for the offer already, according to reports.
Saturday’s post wasn’t the first time that the bar went viral for its social media posts.
In June of 2024, the establishment gained online notoriety for offering to commemorate heterosexual awareness month during LGBTQPride Month.
Old State Saloon in Eagle, Idaho is offering free beer to anyone who offers tips that lead to deportations on illegal immigrants
Mark Fitzpatrick, the owner of the Old State Saloon, poses in front of the bar area at his establishment. He describes himself as ‘a Christian, conservative, Constitution supporter, retired police officer, and family man’
Saturday’s post offering free beer for helping with deportations was met with mixed reactions, sparking outrage from some and being welcomed by others.
The bar noted that, unlike the reach its post got on X, the same offer posted toFacebook was taken down by Meta, and other previous posts made on the Facebook page were targeted as well.
One-star reviews also rolled in on Google, as the bar categorized them as coming from ‘the loser LEFT.’
X user Doeseydotes wrote on that ‘there’s a reason Trump attracts bottom feeders. There’s always *something.* These losers truly believe hate gives them cover from reality. It doesn’t.’
However, most comments on the Saloon’s X post were overwhelmingly positive.
The Department of Homeland Security shared Old State Saloon’s post on X
Old State Saloon, a bar in Eagle, Idaho posted on X Saturday offering free beer for those who provide tips for deporting illegal immigrants from Idaho
X userCourtney M noted that the offer was ‘awesome’ and that ‘hopefully other bars and businesses will be as creative and helpful as Old State Saloon!!’
‘There are millions of freebies all the different industries could give as incentives,’ she added.
The bar’s owner, Mark Fitzpatrick, describes himself as ‘a Christian, conservative, Constitution supporter, retired police officer, and family man’ on hisZillow listing agent profile.