Olive Garden takes pasta pass security more serious than Democrats are taking election security
President Donald Trump is using Olive Garden’s popular Never-Ending Pasta Pass—to reinforce his administration’s argument that protecting America’s elections should be held to at least the same standard as protecting a restaurant promotion.
Speaking as Congress debates the SAVE America Act, Trump pointed to Olive Garden’s requirement that customers present a valid photo ID before using the personalized pasta pass.
“I saw a post from Olive Garden that in order to take advantage of their never-ending pasta pass, you have to show PHOTO ID!” Trump said. “And I thought—that’s weird, Olive Garden takes pasta pass security more serious than Democrats are taking election security!”
The remark drew laughs but underscored a central argument of the administration’s election agenda: if Americans routinely show identification for countless everyday activities, requiring proof of identity and citizenship to participate in federal elections should not be viewed as extraordinary.
The SAVE America Act would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections, while leaving voting administration largely in the hands of the states. Supporters say the measure is designed to ensure that only American citizens cast ballots in federal races and to strengthen public confidence in election integrity.
The Olive Garden comparison stems from the restaurant chain’s recently revived Never-Ending Pasta Pass, a limited-time promotion that allows pass holders to enjoy unlimited pasta during the promotional period. Because the passes are personalized and non-transferable, customers must present a matching photo ID before redeeming the benefit.
Supporters of Trump’s position argue that Americans already accept identity verification as a normal part of daily life—whether boarding an airplane, opening a bank account, purchasing age-restricted products, or claiming personalized memberships. They contend that elections, which determine the nation’s leadership, deserve at least the same level of security.
For Trump, however, the comparison was intended to highlight what he views as a simple principle: if businesses routinely verify identity to protect promotions worth a few dollars, ensuring that only eligible American citizens participate in federal elections is an even more compelling reason to require verification.