Full Breakdown
Sen. Rand Paul’s Son Accused of Antisemitic and Homophobic Barroom Tirade
5/15/2026, 5:59:05 AM
Incident Overview
On May 12, 2026, William H. Paul, the 33-year-old son of Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul, confronted New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler at the Tune Inn Restaurant & Bar on Pennsylvania Avenue. According to multiple eyewitness accounts, Paul, visibly intoxicated, told Lawler that if Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie loses his GOP primary, “your people” will be responsible. When Lawler asked, “My people?” Paul replied, “Yeah, you Jews.” The exchange escalated into a ten-minute diatribe in which Paul allegedly said he “hates Jews and hates gays and doesn’t care if they die,” then apologized for calling Lawler a Jew before leaving the bar.
Political Context and Key Figures
The confrontation unfolded amid a bitter Kentucky Republican primary between incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie—an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump—and former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who has Trump’s endorsement and backing from billionaire donor Paul Singer. Rand Paul has publicly supported Massie. The primary, scheduled for May 19, has become the most expensive U.S. House primary in history, according to Axios. Campaign ads from the Restore Freedom PAC, a pro-Massie super-PAC, have employed both Jewish and LGBTQ+ imagery, linking Singer to a “gay rights activist” label and portraying Gallrein as backed by an “LGBTQ mafia.”
On-the-Ground Report
NOTUS reporter Reese Gorman, who was interviewing Lawler at the time, documented the encounter in full view. Gorman recorded Paul’s statements about “your people,” his apology after learning Lawler is not Jewish, and his subsequent insults toward Israel and “the gays.” Lawler repeatedly pushed back, defending his support for Israel and labeling Paul’s remarks antisemitic.
Official Statements & Responses
Rep. Lawler described Paul’s remarks as “disgusting” and “fucking disgusting,” emphasizing that Paul’s comments were “anti-American” and hateful toward both Jews and LGBTQ+ individuals. William Paul posted an apology on X, writing, “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.” Senator Rand Paul’s office declined to comment when approached for a response.
Criticism & Opposition
Lawler’s condemnation was echoed by observers who noted the incident reflects a pattern of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric associated with Rand Paul, who has previously suggested LGBTQ+ people remain closeted to avoid workplace discrimination. The use of anti-Jewish and anti-LGBTQ imagery in campaign ads further amplified concerns about hate-based political messaging within the primary.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While most sources agree on the antisemitic content, only some explicitly mention homophobic remarks. The Guardian and New York Post cite a statement that Paul “hates gays,” whereas other outlets focus solely on antisemitic language. No independent audio or video verification of the exact wording has been released.
Why It Matters
The episode highlights the intersection of personal misconduct, hate speech, and intra-party conflict in a high-stakes primary. It raises questions about the influence of extremist rhetoric on campaign strategies and the potential impact on voter perceptions of Republican candidates.
Verbatim Quotes
- “said that he hates Jews and hates gays and doesn’t care if they die.” — William Paul (as reported by Lawler)
- “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,” — William Paul, X post
- “I think that’s fucking disgusting,” — Mike Lawler, interview with CNN
- “Well, you just seem to hate Jews, so there’s no point arguing anymore,” — Mike Lawler, conversation with Paul
- “This war, it’s all about the gays and the Jews, and I hate them both, and I don’t care if they die.” — William Paul (New York Post)
What’s Next
The Kentucky GOP primary proceeds on May 19, and the incident may influence voter scrutiny of candidates’ affiliations and rhetoric. Lawler and other GOP leaders have signaled continued condemnation of hate-based language.
