William Paul, the son of Republican Senator Rand Paul, has apologized after a drunken confrontation with Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) at a Washington, D.C., bar. The incident, which occurred Tuesday night at the Tune Inn, involved Paul making antisemitic remarks toward Lawler, who is Catholic but represents a heavily Jewish district.
Core Facts:
- William Paul confronted Lawler, blaming 'your people' for political outcomes, then clarified he meant 'Jews.'
- Lawler described a 10-minute diatribe with antisemitic and homophobic statements, including Paul saying he 'hates Jews and gays.'
- Paul later apologized on X, admitting a drinking problem and seeking help.
Deeper Context:
Lawler recounted the exchange to multiple outlets, emphasizing the hatred and vitriol directed at marginalized groups. He noted that Paul also criticized Jewish GOP megadonor Paul Singer, who is funding ads against Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican. Lawler called the comments 'disgusting' and described Paul's dramatic exit, where he tripped and gave the middle finger.
Sen. Rand Paul declined to comment on the incident when asked by reporters. Lawler, who represents a district with a large Jewish population, stressed the importance of standing up for Judeo-Christian values and his constituents.
Paul's apology came Wednesday, stating he had 'too much to drink' and that his remarks did not reflect his true beliefs. He committed to seeking help for his drinking problem.