On a recent evening at a Capitol Hill restaurant, William Paul – the son of Senator Rand Paul – approached Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, and launched a vitriolic tirade that targeted Jews. Paul, who was seated a few seats away from Lawler at the bar, told the congressman that if Rep. Thomas Massie were to lose his upcoming primary to Trump‑backed challenger Ed Gallrein, it would be because of “your people”. When Lawler asked for clarification, Paul responded, “Yeah, you Jews”, despite Lawler not being Jewish.
The outburst continued with accusations that Jews were “anti‑American” and that Lawler and his “Jewish supporters” were serving Israel rather than the United States. Paul also urged Lawler to “watch more Tucker Carlson”. The confrontation ended with Paul flipping the middle finger, claiming he was “really drunk”, stumbling over a barstool and leaving the premises.
The incident adds another flashpoint to the heated primary battle surrounding Rep. Thomas Massie. Earlier in the week, former Republican aide Cynthia West alleged that Massie had offered her hush money to withdraw a “retaliatory discharge” complaint against Rep. Victoria Spartz, a close associate of the Kentucky lawmaker. West said she began a relationship with Massie shortly after the death of his long‑time wife and high‑school sweetheart, and that he secured her a position in Spartz’s office to facilitate their time together.
William Paul’s recent behaviour follows a pattern of alcohol‑related legal trouble. In 2015, while a student at the University of Kentucky, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. Two years earlier he faced charges of under‑age drinking, disorderly conduct and assault on a female flight attendant; those charges were later dismissed.
Massie, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, has been labelled by the president as the “Worst ‘Republican’ Congressman” and a “weak and pathetic RINO”. Trump has also questioned Massie’s remarriage to Carolyn Grace Moffa, a former staffer to Senator Rand Paul, noting that they met “over a decade ago” when Moffa was in her mid‑20s and Massie in his mid‑40s.
Financial backing for Massie’s campaign has included contributions from left‑wing donors. Sam Mahrouq, a Texas businessman who says he was born in a Palestinian refugee camp, gave $7,000 to Massie’s campaign last year and has also donated $150,000 to members of the so‑called “Squad”, including Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.
Senator Rand Paul has been an active supporter of Massie, campaigning on his behalf and endorsing him in October. He told supporters, “I’m going to help him. I’m going to be with him every step of the way.” The senator has since held town‑hall meetings and meet‑and‑greets with the Kentucky congressman.
Following the bar incident, William Paul released a statement on Wednesday, attributing his remarks to excessive drinking and announcing his intention to seek treatment for alcoholism. He wrote, “Last night, I had too much to drink and said some things that don’t represent who I really am,” and added that he was sorry and was now seeking help for his drinking problem.