The son of US Senator Rand Paul accosted Congressman Mike Lawler on Tuesday with antisemitic and homophobic invective, calling Jews “un-American” and more loyal to Israel than the US, according to Lawler and a reporter who was present.

William Paul apologized for the incident, writing on X Wednesday: “Last night, 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.” His father has not commented on the incident.

Lawler, whose district covers a heavily Jewish suburban New York area, is an outspoken supporter of Israel and opponent of antisemitism, but is not Jewish himself. Both he and Rand Paul, of Kentucky, are Republicans.

In an exchange at a Washington, DC, bar that was witnessed by Reese Gorman, a reporter for the NOTUS website, Rand Paul’s son William approached Lawler and – after introducing himself as the senator’s son – said Lawler’s “people” would be to blame if the younger Paul’s favored candidate, Rep. Thomas Massie, were to lose in a Kentucky congressional primary.

When Lawler responded, “My people?” Paul responded, “Yeah, you Jews,” according to Gorman. Lawler, who is not Jewish, clarified that he is Irish, Italian and Catholic, according to Gorman’s account.

“And he goes, ‘Oh! Oh, I’m sorry to accuse you of that,’” Lawler recalled, speaking to reporters.

Sen. Rand Paul's son erupts in drunken tirade against 'gays and the Jews' https://t.co/6TFinDZmrA pic.twitter.com/SHji1IeDBm — New York Post (@nypost) May 13, 2026

Sen. Rand Paul's son erupts in........

© The Times of Israel