William Paul also said Jews were ‘anti-American,’ according to a NOTUS report
Sen. Rand Paul’s (R., Ky.) son, William Paul, went on a drunken tirade against Jews while accosting Rep. Mike Lawler (R., N.Y.) at a Capitol Hill restaurant, saying “you Jews” would be to blame should Rep. Thomas Massie (R., Ky.) lose his upcoming primary, NOTUS reported Wednesday. Lawler is not Jewish, prompting Paul to apologize to him “for calling you a Jew.”
Paul, who was seated “a couple of seats down from Lawler at the restaurant bar,” approached Lawler to tell him that if Massie loses to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein next Tuesday, it will be because of “your people.” When Lawler asked Paul what he meant, the Kentucky senator’s son replied, “Yeah, you Jews,” according to NOTUS, whose reporter, Reese Gorman, was seated with Lawler. After Lawler clarified that he is not Jewish, Paul replied, “Oh wow, I’m so sorry for calling you a Jew” before accusing Jews of being “anti-American.”
Paul also said Lawler and his “Jewish supporters” served Israel over America and told Lawler he “needs to watch more Tucker Carlson,” according to NOTUS. After arguing that Massie and his father are the “only lawmakers who care about the U.S.,” Paul gave Lawler the middle finger, said he was “really drunk,” tripped over a barstool, and left the restaurant.
The episode marks the latest last-minute wrinkle in Massie’s primary fight against Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL.
Earlier this week, a former Republican congressional aide, Cynthia West, accused Massie of offering her hush money to drop a “retaliatory discharge” complaint against Rep. Victoria Spartz (R., Ind.), a close friend of Massie’s. West said she began dating Massie shortly after the death of his high school sweetheart and wife of more than 30 years, and that Massie got her a job in Spartz’s office so they could spend more time together. West said she ended the relationship not long after she began working for Spartz because Massie asked her to “engage in behavior” that she “wasn’t comfortable with.” Spartz fired her shortly thereafter, prompting her complaint to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, which West said named Massie as a witness, prompting Massie to offer her $5,000 to “just walk away.” Axios obtained documents indicating that the congressional office also offered West $60,000 to settle the complaint.
The younger Paul has a history of alcohol-related run-ins with the law. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence while a student at the University of Kentucky. Two years prior, he was accused of underage drinking, disorderly conduct, and assaulting a female flight attendant, charges that were ultimately dropped.
Massie is a bitter foe of President Donald Trump, who has called him the “Worst ‘Republican’ Congressman” and “a weak and pathetic RINO,” citing his frequent votes against legislation the White House supports. Trump has also questioned the circumstances surrounding Massie’s remarriage to Carolyn Grace Moffa, a former staffer to Senator Paul whom Massie met “over a decade ago,” when Moffa was in her mid-20s and Massie in his mid-40s. The pair wed about a year after the death of Massie’s first wife.
“Did Thomas Massie, sometimes referred to as Rand Paul Jr., because of the fact that he always votes against the Republican Party, get married already???” Trump said in November. “Boy, that was quick!”
Massie has received support from left-wing donors and activists during his primary campaign. Sam Mahrouq, a Texas-based businessman who says he was born in a Palestinian refugee camp, gave Massie’s campaign $7,000 last year. He has also given $150,000 to left-wing “Squad” members like Reps. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.).
In August, Massie met with leaders of the Integrity Political Action Committee soon after the group formed a partnership with the Democratic Socialists of America to oppose ICE’s “crackdown on immigration violations,” the Washington Free Beacon reported. The group’s founder—who has compared ICE agents to Nazis—donated $500 to Massie’s campaign.
At the same time, Paul has actively campaigned for Massie over Gallrein. Paul endorsed Massie in October, saying, “I’m going to help him. I’m going to be with him every step of the way.” He has since held town halls and meet and greets with Massie.
William Paul issued a statement on X Wednesday afternoon in which he blamed his tirade on drinking and said he would seek treatment for alcoholism.
“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.”
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