Mark Fitzpatrick, proprietor of the Old State Saloon in Eagle, Idaho, has drawn national attention after launching a promotion offering free beer to customers who assist federal immigration authorities. The online campaign, which encouraged patrons to help identify undocumented migrants for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), quickly went viral, pulling Fitzpatrick into an intense national debate and prompting what he describes as a wave of online threats.
As he defends both the promotion and his political views, the controversy has deepened conversations about immigration enforcement, political identity, and the risks public-facing business owners face when wading into highly charged issues. Fitzpatrick’s initial message, posted to X on November 29, declared that anyone who helped ICE “identify and ultimately deport an illegal from Idaho” would receive free beer for a month at the Old State Saloon.
The post also provided a voicemail number and email address for people to submit tips, framing the offer as part of a broader stance in support of immigration enforcement. When the message was removed from Facebook, Fitzpatrick accused the platform of censorship, doubling down on X with further commentary and promotions. The post, which he said was intended to “draw attention to the issue,” was subsequently reposted by the Department of Homeland Security, propelling it to more than 8 million views.
With the increased visibility came both support and a wave of backlash, including what Fitzpatrick told Fox News Digital were direct online threats against his life and his business. As the debate continues to escalate, Mark Fitzpatrick maintains that the controversy is about more than beer specials—it is, in his view, about standing for values he believes are under attack.
Growing Online Backlash to the ICE Promotion
The online reaction to the Old State Saloon’s promotion was immediate and polarized. Supporters praised Mark Fitzpatrick for taking a firm stance on immigration enforcement and embracing what they perceived as a bold display of conservative values. Critics, however, condemned the campaign as discriminatory, inflammatory, and dangerous, especially against the backdrop of heightened national debate over immigration policy.
Mark Fitzpatrick told Fox News Digital that he has received numerous death threats from people angered by his promotion. These threats, he said, have included explicit messages telling him he should die and threats to burn down his business. He attributed the backlash primarily to individuals he described as “liberals” who, in his view, respond to political disagreement with personal attacks. He characterized their anger as evidence that speaking “boldly about conservative Christian values” invites hostility, especially in what he described as a climate filled with “deception” and “evil.”
Despite the aggressive nature of the messages, Mark Fitzpatrick noted that all the abuse has occurred online. He said that if any of his critics chose to speak to him in person, they would find someone willing to sit down and listen to differing viewpoints, insisting that the caricature of him online does not reflect how he interacts with people face-to-face.
One FREE BEER for @greggutfeld for helping spread the word.
— Old State Saloon (@OldStateSaloon) December 6, 2025
Thank you Greg and @FoxNews! pic.twitter.com/YWbyuSUXxK
The virality of the promotion came as ICE raids and immigration enforcement actions have triggered protests across the United States. Images of demonstrations from cities nationwide have circulated widely in recent months, underscoring how deeply immigration policy divides communities. Against this backdrop, Fitzpatrick’s offer of free beer in exchange for deportation tips struck many as provocative, even inflammatory, raising questions about the role of private citizens—and private businesses—in supporting federal enforcement efforts.
A Bar Known for Provocative Conservative Branding
The Old State Saloon was no stranger to attention even before this promotion. Fitzpatrick has long presented the establishment as a business aligned with conservative cultural and political values. The bar has previously hosted a “Heterosexual Awesomeness Month” as a counterpoint to Pride celebrations, and it advertises a “Make America Great Again Signature Cocktail Menu,” leaning heavily into themes associated with the Trump-era conservative movement.
In addition to the “free beer for ICE tips” promotion, the bar currently offers a series of themed nights that extend the immigration-enforcement message. “Manly American Mondays” reward men who say they support ICE with a free beer. “Ladies’ ‘I’m Telling’ Tuesdays” give discounts to women willing to “tattle” on migrants. On “Whistleblower Wednesdays,” heterosexual couples receive 10 percent off their bill if they participate in reporting efforts. These events, which blend political messaging with marketing strategy, further highlight the bar’s deliberate positioning within partisan identity politics.
Fitzpatrick argues that these promotions are not just business gimmicks but part of a broader cultural statement. He believes they resonate with customers who feel their values have come under attack and who appreciate a business willing to publicly advocate for conservative positions. According to him, many patrons have visited specifically to express solidarity, providing what he describes as “overwhelming support from conservatives” who applaud his willingness to challenge what they view as political correctness.
At the same time, these highly politicized promotions have opened the bar up to national scrutiny, particularly from individuals who believe that incentivizing participation in immigration enforcement is unethical or dangerous. Critics argue that such programs can encourage racial profiling, escalate tensions within communities, or create incentives for reporting based on suspicion rather than evidence. While Fitzpatrick sees the campaign as a way to generate conversation, others see it as stoking division and fear.
Supporters and Critics React as Fitzpatrick Defends His Message
Fitzpatrick’s defense of his promotion centers on two themes: his right to free expression and his belief in the importance of drawing attention to immigration issues. He has repeatedly stated that the campaign is “not really about beers,” framing it instead as a mechanism to spark discussion and visibility around illegal immigration, which he views as a pressing problem. In his telling, the beer is simply a symbolic gesture to encourage engagement.
He also frames the backlash as a reflection of what he calls the “wickedness” of his critics. According to him, the threats and insults show more about the people sending them than about the promotion itself. He sees the hostility as evidence that some segments of the public cannot tolerate dissenting viewpoints and resort to intimidation when confronted with ideas they oppose.
At the same time, the controversy highlights the risks that small business owners face when entering politically charged arenas. Even in communities with strong partisan leanings, public-facing positions on contentious issues can provoke intense responses. Fitzpatrick acknowledges that he anticipated pushback but contends that the scale and ferocity of the threats were “really, really despicable.”
The situation also raises broader questions about the role of businesses in political advocacy. Some argue that companies have the right to express political views or support policies they believe in. Others caution that blending political activism with commercial practices can alienate customers, escalate conflict, or create safety risks for staff and patrons. Fitzpatrick’s case illustrates how a single promotional message can trigger national debate and personal risk, especially when tied to enforcement actions that profoundly affect people’s lives.
Despite the backlash, Fitzpatrick maintains that the support he receives at the bar itself remains strong. He described evenings spent with patrons who visit specifically to encourage him, tell him they stand with him, and push back against the online vitriol. These interactions, he said, help counterbalance the negativity he faces from afar. For many of his supporters, the promotion represents a symbolic stand for law enforcement and conservative values, and they view the criticism as politically motivated attacks.
At the heart of the controversy is a larger national conversation about immigration, identity, and political expression. Fitzpatrick’s promotion taps directly into these debates, making his bar a flashpoint in a cultural landscape defined by polarization. As immigration enforcement continues to dominate headlines and spark protests, the reactions to his campaign reflect the deep divisions shaping public discourse.
Whether the promotion ultimately encourages meaningful conversation or merely intensifies existing conflict remains to be seen. Fitzpatrick insists that the goal is to engage the public on issues he sees as critical, even if doing so brings personal risk. Critics, however, argue that such tactics inflame tensions and contribute to an environment of fear rather than dialogue.
What is clear is that the Old State Saloon’s campaign has placed Fitzpatrick at the center of a national debate, one that reaches far beyond Eagle, Idaho. As he continues to defend his position and respond to threats, he remains committed to making political expression part of his business identity, regardless of the consequences.
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