Olive Garden’s Never-Ending Pasta Pass sparked an unlikely political firestorm after conservatives applauded the restaurant’s photo ID requirement, arguing the policy is stricter than voting laws in some Democrat-led states.
“Olive Garden requires ID to use their never ending pasta pass but most Democrat run states don’t require your ID to vote. So in America, our pasta deals are literally more secure than our elections. Maddening and hilarious at the same time,” one conservative commentator, Robby Starbuck, wrote on X.
Olive Garden’s Never-Ending Pasta Pass gives customers unlimited meals, but the restaurant requires passholders to present a valid photo ID matching the name printed on the pass when ordering. Conservatives swiftly shared the restaurant’s X post announcing the policy, praising it and drawing comparisons to the broader debate over voter ID requirements.
“The Never-Ending Pasta Pass is only for use by the Passholder whose name is printed on the Pass. Passes are personalized and non-transferable. Passholders must present a valid photo I.D. along with the Pass at the time of ordering,” the restaurant posted to X on Thursday.
“Olive Garden takes their Pasta Pass security more seriously than Democrats take election security,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital. “It’s sad but true.”
“The SAVE America Act is a commonsense police, supported by the vast majority of Americans, that will secure our elections for generations to come. The only people opposed seem to be Democrats in Congress… I wonder why?” she added.
Fourteen states and Washington, D.C., do not require most voters to present identification when voting in person.
The SAVE Act includes President Donald Trump’s long-sought voter ID and citizenship verification guardrails — which Republicans say is key to ensuring elections are safe and secure.
“We really live in a nation where Olive Garden’s Never-Ending Pasta Pass is more secure than our elections! Make it make sense. Pass the SAVE America Act,” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita wrote on X.
“American elections should not be less secure than Olive Garden’s endless pasta. Pass the SAVE America Act,” wrote Utah Sen. Mike Lee on X.
“Only in America do you need a photo ID for bottomless pasta at Olive Garden, but not to vote,” said conservative influencer Isabel Brown.
“If you have to show ID to eat pasta at Olive Garden, you should have to show ID to vote,” posted the official RNC Election Integrity account.
“Olive Garden’s never-ending pasta pass is more secure than our federal elections. Make sense to anyone? Pass the SAVE America Act,” wrote Arizona Rep. Eli Crane.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation Thursday evening on “free and fair” elections urging Congress to pass the SAVE Act.
“I ask you to pick up your phone tomorrow, call your representatives and the House and Senate, and demand that they pass the Save America Act without delay. Together, we will restore faith and confidence in our country, and we will be bigger, better, and stronger than ever before,” said Trump.
Trump has tried to attach the stalled election legislation to defense spending, holding housing legislation hostage and playing Senate primary politics.
Republicans are running against the clock to pass the stalled elections bill before the party’s midterm window narrows.
