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Idaho Bar’s ‘Free Beer for Deportation Tips’ Stunt Goes Viral — Then Backfires

The Old State Saloon in Eagle, Idaho, offered a month of free beer to anyone who helped ICE identify and deport undocumented immigrants; the post went viral after DHS reshared it to its roughly 2.5 million followers and reached about 5.7 million views. The stunt prompted hundreds of negative reviews, removed social posts, and the saloon saying Google deleted hundreds of reviews. One local GOP official reportedly received free beer after proving he aided ICE. The bar is known for provocative, culture‑war branding and MAGA‑themed promotions.

07:11 PM, 12/01/2025Politics
Idaho Bar’s ‘Free Beer for Deportation Tips’ Stunt Goes Viral — Then Backfires

The Old State Saloon in Eagle, Idaho, drew national attention after offering free beer to anyone who provided information that led to the deportation of undocumented immigrants.

On Saturday the saloon’s owner, Mark Fitzpatrick—who uses the handle “Heterosexual Supremacist” on social media—posted on X a message reading: “FREE BEER FOR ONE MONTH” for “anyone who helps ICE identify and ultimately deport an illegal from Idaho.” About four hours later, the Department of Homeland Security reshared the post to its roughly 2.5 million followers, and the message reached an estimated 5.7 million views.

The viral attention produced a swift backlash. The saloon reported receiving hundreds of negative online reviews as well as some supportive responses, alongside a surge of angry emails and phone calls. The business’s social account dismissed many of the responses as coming from the “loser LEFT.”

The Old State Saloon also said platforms removed the original posts on Instagram and Facebook and that Google had “erased hundreds of reviews...both good and bad.” At the time of reporting the saloon retained a roughly 4.5-star rating on Google; it has not publicly said whether it filed a complaint with Google.

“We appreciate all the great reviews, fellow patriots!” the saloon posted while noting some reviews had been removed.

At least one customer appears to have taken the offer literally. Ryan Spoon, vice chair of the Ada County Republican Central Committee in Idaho, was reportedly given free beer after submitting proof that he had assisted ICE with an arrest.

Branding and promotions

The saloon leans heavily into provocative, culture‑war branding: its social bio proclaims “liberals around the world hate us,” and it bills itself as the “Birthplace of Heterosexual Awesomeness Month.” Fitzpatrick introduced that promotion in June 2024 as a tongue‑in‑cheek response to Pride Month, offering discounts and complimentary drinks to straight men, women, and couples—an effort that drew media criticism.

The bar’s Instagram notes staff are armed for customer “safety,” and its menu includes MAGA‑themed cocktails such as the Maga Rita, Trump’s Survival Shot, and Biden’s Last Fall Mudslide. The business also sells merchandise, including T‑shirts printed with the slogan “Make America Straight Again.”

The saloon has not issued further public details about any formal complaints with platform providers or about follow-up to the DHS repost.

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