A Texas college student, Megan Ashlee Davis, has shared her distress after a fabricated story involving her went viral on social media. The false narrative portrayed her as an Olive Garden waitress arrested for throwing breadsticks at customers. This fictional incident took place in St. Louis, Missouri, and accused her of reacting to a couple who refused to tip. The fabricated quote attributed to her claimed, “Unlimited breadsticks doesn’t mean unlimited free labor!”
Background on the Incident
The viral post originated from the Facebook page “Pure Videos,” which boasts 1.7 million followers. Although Davis’s name was not mentioned, her real mugshot was used, leading to significant harassment and online bullying. “It’s probably like my worst nightmare coming to reality,” Davis remarked, expressing her feelings of fear and violation due to the situation.
Details Surrounding the Viral Post
- The post claimed that Davis had an altercation with customers at Olive Garden.
- Olive Garden quickly denied the allegations, stating, “This person does not work for Olive Garden, and the incident described never occurred.”
- Though the original post has been removed, copies continue to circulate widely.
Davis’s mugshot is from an arrest for public intoxication in August, during a difficult period following her mother’s death. She noted that her emotions were heightened that night, leading her to drink excessively. “I felt very hurt and angry,” she said about that stressful time.
Impact of Fake News on Social Media
The rise of such false narratives on platforms like Facebook has escalated since Meta reduced third-party fact-checking in the U.S. Earlier this year, this change allowed more misinformation to spread unchecked. After the incident, Davis highlighted how disheartening it is to feel “overlooked and unseen” amidst the barrage of false claims.
Response from Olive Garden and Social Media Platforms
Despite Olive Garden’s attempts to clarify the situation, commentators urged the restaurant to prove its claims. Responses across social media platforms have varied, with much of the content being replicated and reshared. The original publisher, TMC Media, has not responded to inquiries regarding the post’s removal.
The incident raises concerns about the accountability of social media platforms and the consequences of spreading false information. As Davis continues to face harassment, she hopes to regain control over her narrative and find relief from the relentless trolling.
