Sen. Rand Paul's (R-Ky.) son, William Paul, issued a public apology Wednesday following an alleged antisemitic tirade directed at Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) at a bar in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The incident, which occurred Tuesday evening at Tune Inn, has drawn sharp criticism and renewed scrutiny of the younger Paul's behavior.
In a statement posted on X, William Paul acknowledged he had been drinking excessively. “Last night, I had too much to drink and said some things that don’t represent who I really am,” he wrote. “I’m sorry and today I am seeking help for my drinking problem.” The apology came after Lawler publicly detailed the encounter to reporters on the Capitol steps.
Lawler said he was dining with a reporter from NOTUS when William Paul approached and interrupted a conversation about Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who faces a primary challenge. According to Lawler, Paul claimed that if Massie lost, it would be “because of my people.” When Lawler asked for clarification, Paul allegedly shouted, “Jews.” Lawler, who is not Jewish, said Paul briefly apologized for the accusation before launching into a roughly 10-minute diatribe.
“He went on a, you know, roughly 10-minute diatribe about Israel, about Jews, about Paul Singer, and, you know, accusing Jews of, you know, being responsible for so many things, playing right into the typical antisemitic tropes that so many people rely on,” Lawler recounted. The New York Republican also alleged that Paul expressed hatred toward gay people, calling the comments “fucking disgusting.”
The confrontation ended when Paul allegedly gave Lawler the middle finger and tripped while leaving the establishment. NOTUS reporter Reese Gorman, who witnessed the exchange, confirmed the account. The incident has raised questions about the influence of antisemitic rhetoric in political circles, particularly amid ongoing tensions over U.S.-Israel policy and Iran-backed attacks driving Gulf states closer to Israel.
William Paul, 27, previously worked as a staffer in Rep. Mike Collins’ (R-Ga.) office from January to June 2025, according to Legistorm. He has also held digital communications roles with FreedomWorks Inc. and served as a social media manager for Americans for Tax Reform. His father’s office did not respond to requests for comment, nor did Massie’s office.
The episode echoes broader political frictions, including attacks on judicial independence and fractures within the MAGA movement. Lawler, a moderate Republican, has been a vocal critic of antisemitism and has pushed for stronger support for Israel in Congress.
As the story gains traction, it underscores the personal and political fallout when alcohol-fueled outbursts cross into hate speech. William Paul’s apology and pledge to seek help may not fully defuse the controversy, especially as Lawler and other lawmakers call for accountability.
