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Rep. Mike Lawler Denounces ‘Disgusting’ Antisemitic and Homophobic Slurs from Sen. Rand Paul’s Son
New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler shared a disturbing account with reporters on Wednesday, alleging that he was targeted by antisemitic and homophobic vitriol from the son of a Senate colleague. According to Lawler, the incident occurred Tuesday night at a Capitol Hill bar and restaurant when William Paul, the 33-year-old son of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, approached him.
Lawler recounted that Paul introduced himself and claimed that if Representative Thomas Massie lost his upcoming primary, it would be because of "my people." When Lawler asked if Paul believed he was Jewish, Paul reportedly answered "yes." Lawler, who is Irish-Italian Catholic, corrected him.
“He goes, ‘Oh, oh, I’m sorry to accuse you of that,’ which is just a remarkable statement in and of itself,” Lawler told reporters.
Allegations of Hate Speech
The conversation reportedly devolved into a 10-minute diatribe. Lawler alleged that Paul used various antisemitic tropes and explicitly stated that he "hates Jews and hates gays and doesn’t care if they die."
Lawler did not mince words when describing his reaction to the encounter:
The Content: Lawler described the comments as "f***ing disgusting."
The Excuse: While Lawler noted that Paul appeared to be intoxicated, he emphasized that being drunk is "no excuse for that type of hatred and vitriol."
The Impact: Lawler called it "arguably the most shocking thing" he has witnessed in his four years in Washington.
Apology and Silence from the Paul Family
Following the report of the exchange, an X account under the name William H. Paul posted a statement of contrition. The post stated that he had "too much to drink" and said things that do not represent his true character, concluding with a pledge to seek help for a drinking problem.
Senator Rand Paul has remained silent on the matter. When approached by reporters on Wednesday, the Senator declined to comment, stating only, "I don't have anything for you." Lawler noted that neither Senator Paul nor Representative Massie had reached out to him regarding the incident.
Representative Lawler has a history of introducing measures to combat antisemitism, particularly on college campuses. He stated that he will leave it to Senator Paul to decide how to respond to his son's behavior, but reiterated that the incident was "extremely unfortunate."
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By: NBC Palm Springs
May 13, 2026
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