Rep. Mike Lawler Says Rand Paul's Son Made Antisemitic Remarks at DC Bar

WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York said Rand Paul's son approached him at a bar and directed antisemitic comments at him while apparently inebriated.

Lawler described the encounter at the Tune Inn in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night. He was having dinner there with a friend and a reporter from NOTUS, which first reported the incident, when William Paul came over.

"Paul decided to interject into the conversation and start accosting me about if Thomas Massie loses, it's because of my people," Lawler said Wednesday. He referred to the Kentucky Republican, who faces a tight primary against a Trump-backed challenger. Rand Paul and his son also hail from Kentucky.

Lawler said he asked Paul, "Who is 'my people'?"

"And he yelled out, 'Jews,'" Lawler recounted to reporters. "And I asked him, 'You think I'm Jewish?' And he said, 'Yes.'"

Lawler told Paul he was not Jewish. Paul replied, "Oh, I'm sorry to accuse you of that."

The congressman said Paul then unleashed a 10-minute rant about Israel, Jews, Jewish GOP megadonor Paul Singer and accusations that Jews bore responsibility for numerous issues. The comments echoed common antisemitic stereotypes, Lawler said. Paul also stated that he "hates Jews, hates gays and doesn't care if they die."

The exchange ended soon after. Paul gave Lawler the middle finger and tripped while leaving the bar, according to Lawler.

Lawler said he had never met William Paul before and had not spoken to Sen. Rand Paul about the matter.

Later Wednesday, the senator told reporters, "I don't have anything for you on that." He offered no response when asked if he planned to contact Lawler.

William Paul posted an apology on X. "I had too much to drink and said some things that don't represent who I really am. I'm sorry and today I am seeking help for my drinking problem," he wrote.