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Rand Paul’s son apologizes for allegedly hurling antisemitic attacks at Lawler at Capitol Hill bar

by Sophie Brams and Tara Suter - 05/13/26 5:59 PM ET

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by Sophie Brams and Tara Suter - 05/13/26 5:59 PM ET

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Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-Ky.) son apologized on Wednesday after he reportedly slung antisemitic attacks at Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) at a bar in the Washington, D.C., neighborhood of Capitol Hill.

“Last night, I had too much to drink and said some things that don’t represent who I really am,” William Paul wrote on Wednesday on the social platform X. “I’m sorry and today I am seeking help for my drinking problem.”

Lawler told reporters Wednesday on the Capitol’s steps that he was dining at the Tune Inn on Tuesday evening, when he was approached by the younger Paul, who interjected in a conversation he was having with a news outlet about the upcoming primary facing Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).

Massie and Rand Paul’s offices did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.

The New York Republican said that William Paul claimed that if Massie lost, it would be “because of my people.”

“Well, who is ‘my people’?” Lawler recounted asking in response. “And he yelled out, ‘Jews.’”

Lawler recalled that Paul said he was “sorry to accuse you of that” after the New York lawmaker informed Paul that he was not, in fact, Jewish.

“But then, 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 told reporters.

He claimed that Paul also expressed hatred toward gay people, calling the comments “f—ing disgusting.”

Lawler said the conversation ended shortly afterward. He alleged William Paul “gave me the middle finger and then tripped” on his way out of the restaurant.

The encounter was witnessed firsthand by NOTUS reporter Reese Gorman.

William Paul previously served in the office of Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) from January to June 2025, according to Legistorm. He has also held digital communications positions with FreedomWorks Inc. and worked as a social media manager for Americans for Tax Reform.

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