Topline
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., blasted Sen. Rand Paul’s, R-Ky., son on Wednesday after the New York congressman said he hurled antisemitic insults at him as Lawler met with a reporter Tuesday evening.
Lawler spoke to reporters Wednesday about the confrontation.
Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Key Facts
William Paul drunkenly insulted Lawler while the congressman met with a NOTUS reporter at a Capitol Hill bar and restaurant Tuesday, NOTUS reported.
William Paul specifically confronted Lawler about Kentucky’s primary election and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a top GOP critic of President Donald Trump who is running against Trump-backed candidate Ed Gallrein.
William Paul claimed to Lawler that if Massie loses, it would be because of “your people,” NOTUS reported, believing Lawler was Jewish.
Lawler said he told William Paul he’s not Jewish, to which the senator’s son responded, “I’m sorry to accuse you of that.
William Paul then said Jews were “anti-American” and scrutinized Lawler’s “Jewish supporters,” later giving Lawler the middle finger before he apologized, reportedly acknowledged he was drunk and knocked a barstool down before leaving the restaurant.
Lawler, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, called the confrontation “reprehensible” and “f—ing disgusting,” claiming William Paul also said “he hates Jews and hates gays and doesn’t care if they die.”
An X account that reportedly belongs to William Paul apologized to Lawler, stating he is seeking help for his “drinking problem” and said, “Last night, I had too much to drink and said some things that don’t represent who I really am.”
Is Mike Lawler Jewish?
No. Lawler told William Paul he was not Jewish during the confrontation and told reporters Wednesday he is a Catholic with an Irish and Italian ethnic background.
Crucial Quote
“If you are wondering how things are going up on Capital Hill. We have elected family members screaming ‘you are a Jew’ at catholics,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., tweeted Wednesday afternoon as news of the confrontation circulated among D.C. politicos.
Tangent
William Paul also claimed Paul Singer, a Jewish GOP megadonor who is backing a super PAC opposing Massie, of serving “Israeli interests, not American interests.” Singer is also a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $6.7 billion, according to Forbes.
Key Background
Rand Paul is backing Thomas Massie in the Kentucky primary, telling Politico, “I’m going to be with him every step of the way.” Rand Paul also acknowledged Massie as an “independent voice” in the GOP but that he and the representative back Trump’s agenda “significantly more” than other Republicans aligned with the president. The Kentucky race is the most expensive U.S. House primary in history, according to Axios, which noted the election taking place next week is likely to be a close one.
Further Reading
Sen. Rand Paul’s Son William Hurled Antisemitic Insults at Rep. Mike Lawler (NOTUS)