Rand Paul’s Son Berates GOP Congressman in Drunken Anti-Semitic Outburst

Summary

---

Bulwark Takes

Episode: Rand Paul’s Son Berates GOP Congressman in Drunken Anti-Semitic Outburst

Date: May 14, 2026

Host: Sam Stein
Guest: Will Sommer

---

Overview

This episode unpacks a shocking incident involving William Paul, son of Senator Rand Paul, who launched a drunken anti-Semitic tirade at Rep. Mike Lawler in a Capitol Hill bar, as reported by Reese Grumman. Sam Stein and Will Sommer dissect the details, explore the implications for Republican politics—including the heated Kentucky GOP primary—and discuss the broader context of anti-Semitism in the conservative sphere.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Incident: What Happened?

• William Paul’s Outburst:
  William Paul, reportedly heavily intoxicated, confronted Rep. Mike Lawler, accusing him of sabotaging Rep. Thomas Massie’s Kentucky primary race “because he’s Jewish.”
• Direct Quotes from the Scene:
  • Paul: “If Massie loses, it’s going to be because of ‘your people.’”
  • Lawler: “My people?”
  • Paul: “Yeah, you Jews.”
  • Lawler: “Do you think I’m Jewish? I’m not.”
  • Paul: “Oh, wow, I’m so sorry for calling you a Jew.”
• Lawler’s Response:
  Lawler insisted he is Irish-Italian Catholic but pushed back, calling Paul’s comments anti-Semitic.
• Public Reactions:
  • William Paul later posted a public apology on Twitter (@TastyBrew1776):
    “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.” [01:55]
  • Rep. Lawler held a press conference, calling the remarks “fucking disgusting.” [01:55]

2. Anti-Semitism in GOP Politics

• Sommer’s Analysis:
  Will Sommer identifies a “rising tide of anti-Semitism within the GOP, particularly the young GOP operative class,” referencing recent scandals and group chats as context. [05:28]
• Media & Super PACs:
  They discuss a peculiar super PAC ad against Paul Singer, a Jewish financier, which used a Star of David and rainbow motif, highlighting how Jewish conspiracies are weaponized. [05:28]
• Cultural Context:
  Sam Stein connects this to a broader trend:
  “Threads of anti-Semitism— they’re pervasive in both parties... but the stuff you see on the right, kicked up by people like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, is particularly insidious.” [06:42]

3. William Paul’s History

• William Paul’s alcohol-fueled legal troubles are noted:
  • 2013: Arrested for assaulting a flight attendant (charges dropped)
  • 2015: Pleaded guilty to DUI
  • This pattern frames the current incident as part of a longer “thread.” [08:33]

4. The Kentucky GOP Primary: Broader Stakes

• Massey vs. Trumpism:
  The primary is described as a proxy war for the soul of the GOP between libertarian-leaning dissenters and ardent Trump loyalists. [09:02]
  • “If Massey loses his seat because Massie has made a point… it sends an incredible message to everyone else who remains in the party. You never cross Trump.” – Sam Stein [09:53]
• Electoral Tactics:
  The incident is contextualized alongside a negative campaign dump—the mass media and Trumpist elements working to unseat Massie. [14:29]

5. The “Cow Money” Scandal

• Allegations Against Massey:
  A woman claims she had a romantic relationship with Massie after his wife’s death and was offered $5,000 in “untraceable cow money” (from cattle deals) to keep quiet about a potential workplace ethics complaint. [12:15]
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Will Sommer: “Apparently this is like the ultimate, you know, illicit underground of all cash payments. So he said, look, let me break you off a couple of cow bucks here.” [13:11]
  • Stein: “Just to be clear, Massey was a widower at that point. It wasn’t that he was having an affair.” [14:14]
• Political Impact:
  Trump loyalists jumped on the scandal, amplifying it as a fatal blow to Massie on the eve of the primary. [14:20]

6. Family Patterns

• Rand Paul Family Dynamics:
  Discussion of whether anti-Semitism and behavior issues are “in the family genes,” referencing Ron Paul’s newsletters as well as William’s record. [11:04]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Will Sommer on Anti-Semitism Trend:
  “Kind of this rising tide of anti-Semitism within the GOP, particularly the young GOP operative class… It’s also possible they just talk about some really crazy stuff in the Rand Paul family.” [05:28]
• Sam Stein’s Reaction:
  “William Paul, screw you, that’s anti-Semitic.” [04:16]
• Lawler to Paul:
  “You just seem to hate Jews so there’s no point in arguing anymore.” – reported by Sam Stein [07:33]
• On the Cow Money:
  “Are you going to have a little square plugged in your phone… on the cow? Attached to the cow? Swipe the cow?” – Sam Stein [13:22]

---

Important Timestamps

• 01:55: Will Sommer gives breaking updates on Paul’s apology and Lawler’s presser
• 03:28: Stein and Sommer begin detailed retelling, quoting Reese Grumman’s report
• 06:34: Discussion about accountability and anti-Semitism’s broader dangers
• 09:02: Analysis of the Kentucky GOP primary as a Trump proxy war
• 12:15: Introduction of the Massey “cow money” relationship scandal
• 13:11: Will explains the cow money concept in colorful terms
• 14:20: They connect the timing of the dump to electoral strategy

---

Tone & Style

Conversational, incredulous, sometimes darkly sardonic—true to the Bulwark’s style of dissecting political absurdity with a mix of deep concern and gallows humor.

---

Summary

This episode sheds light on a disturbing drunken outburst by William Paul, casts it against the backdrop of rising anti-Semitism and factional GOP warfare, and links the personal—familiar family failings and scandalous campaign tactics—to the political, illustrating how these undercurrents are shaping modern conservative politics.

Transcript

[Sam Stein]

This ad is brought to you by Pocket Hose. You guys know how much I love pocket hose. I really love it. Carry it around with me. I love it so much. Well, I'm excited to tell you about the world's number one expanding garden hose and their brand new product. It's the pocket hose ballistic. I used to have to buy a new hose every year due to the kinks and the tangles. But you know what? The Pocket Hose ballistic is an upgrade that I've been looking for my entire adult life. Pocket hose is the number one expandable hose in the world. It's super lightweight, easy to manage, it's easy to store. You turn the water on and it grows. You turn the water off and it shrinks back into pocket size. Hence why they call it Pocket Hose. The pocket hose ballistic is reinforced with a liquid crystal polymer that's used in bulletproof vests. I kid you not. It makes the anti burst sleeve practically bulletproof. And that liquid crystal polymer fiber is actually five times stronger than steel. And now for a limited time, when you purchase the new pocket Hose ballistic, you'll get a free 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a free thumb drive nozzle. Just text takes 264,000. That's takes 264,000 for your two free gifts with purchase. Text takes to 64,000 in message and data rates may apply. Folks, get your pocket hose.

[Spin Quest Advertiser]

You know what? It sucks to be bored. But when I get on my phone and play real casino games on spinquest.com, the time flies by. That two hour wait at the DMV seems like 10 minutes. Play your favorite slots, live blackjack, live craps with a live dealer. New players. $30 coin packs are on sale for 10 bucks. Play spinquest.com and you'll never be bored again.

[Spin Quest Disclaimer Voice]

Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Will Sommer]

Hey guys, it's Will. So right after Sam and I recorded this, Rand Paul's son, William Paul sent out a tweet under the sort of unfortunate Twitter handle Tasty Brew 1776. He acknowledged this incident regarding the anti Semitic remarks. He said, let's. 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. Also, Mike Lawler gave a press conference where he confirmed that this incident happened at the tune in, which is sort of a big Capitol Hill lawmaker and media hangout. And he called the Remarks fucking disgusting.

[Spin Quest Disclaimer Voice]

Rand or William Paul decided to interject into the conversation and start accosting me about, you know, if Thomas Massie loses, it's because of my people. And I asked him, well, who is my people? And he yelled out, Jews. And I asked him, you think I'm Jewish? He said, yes. I said, well, I'm Irish, Italian, Catholic. And he goes, oh, oh, I'm sorry to accuse you of that, which is just a remarkable statement in and of itself. But he then 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, you know, typical anti Semitic tropes that so many people rely on.

[Sam Stein]

Hey, everyone, it's me, Sam Stein, managing editor at the Bulwark. I'm here with Will Sommer to talk about a rather wild story that just broke on notice the soon to be Washington star by the reporter Reese Grumman, who is baller reporter. Apparently Reese was at a bar last night with Mike Lawler, the congressman from New York York and Senator Rand Paul's son William Paul came up to them. This is. I'm just kind of reading through the story here. Came up to them and was heavily drunk and accused Mike Lawler of sabotaging or trying to sabotage Representative Thomas Massey's GOP primary election which is coming up in Kentucky next week. And he said he's doing it because he's Jewish. I kid you not. This is according to Reese's reporting. It says in full view of this notice reported the younger Paul confronted Lawler about Representative Tom Massey's GOP primary election in Kentucky. William Paul was seated a couple of seats down from Lawler at the restaurant bar. An interruptive conversation between notice and Lawler to say that if Massie loses, it's going to be because of quote, your people. My people? Lawlor asked Paul. Yeah, you Jews. Paul responded. Here's where it gets interesting. Do you think I'm Jewish? Lawler asked. I'm not. Oh, wow. I'm so sorry for calling you a Jew. Paul said. All right, listen, William Paul, screw you, that's anti Semitic. Secondly, Michael Lawler, just because he's bearded and from New York, isn't a Jew. Okay? That's also anti Semitic. Third, if you were referencing Paul Singer, the financier who's trying to take out Massey, who is Jewish, screw you, that's anti Semitic. There's more to the story, but before I get there, Will.

[Will Sommer]

Well, it's pretty crazy. You know, I. I messaged Reese to find out what restaurant this was. To be frank, I think a lot of people's mind jumps to the tune in, which is.

[Sam Stein]

You think it was the tune?

[Will Sommer]

Well, you know, maybe I messaged him. Unfortunately, we didn't hear back in time for recording. I don't know if they're anonymizing the restaurant to protect its privacy. You know, it's. It's a strange situation. I mean, obviously for many reasons. He also, I should say later on in this exchange, he says, tells Mike Lawler, you need to watch more Tucker Carlson. So, you know, there's that aspect of it as well. I mean, for me, I think this represents kind of this like, riding rising tide of anti Semitism within the gop, particularly the young GOP operative class. I mean, we can think of the sort of pro Hitler group chats that leaked. You know, it's also possibly just that they talk about some really crazy stuff in the Rand Paul family, you know, and. And you also mentioned there was this super PAC ad in favor of Massey from. That was attacking Paul Singer, this wealthy guy who's been bankrolling Massey's opponent. And they had this like a Star of David in like the gay rainbow flag colors. Very bizarre situation. And I mean, it's just a. I don't know how like desperate the. The pro Massey side is getting or what's going on there. Yeah.

[Sam Stein]

And look, I think people are going to say, well, you know, he's a kid. You shouldn. Why are we even. Who cares what he says? He's not just a kid.

[Will Sommer]

He's like 32.

[Sam Stein]

32. And on top of that, you can't just throw around like this and expect that it's fine like this. This gets at something larger, which is threads of anti Semitism. They're pervasive in both parties. I'm not gonna not acknowledge that. But, you know, the stuff that you see on the right, particularly kicked up by people like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, who tie any criticism of Israel, allude to it being sort of a criticism of Jews. And then, you know, the fact that it's seeping into politics at this level. Now, admittedly, this dude William Paul was incredibly drunk, but that doesn't, you know, absolve his behavior. I'll read this passage which really tickled me. Finally, Lawler tried to end the conversation, said, well, you just seem to hate Jews, so there's no point in arguing anymore. Paul, this is the young Paul, then shoved his finger in Lawler's face, saying, don't put words in my mouth. Mike Lawler. I never said that. Okay. He then began to complain that Lawler's push to raise the salt cap in last year's reconciliation bill. When Lawler said, please leave us alone, Paul turned around and flipped off Lawler. Did you just give me the middle finger? Lawler asked. I'm sorry. Yeah, I did. I'm just really drunk. I'm going to leave. Pause.

[Will Sommer]

Well, a little moment of self reflection, you know, a few moments too soon, I think.

[Sam Stein]

I love that he went to the salt, lifting the salt cap. It's like, you fucking Jew. Why'd you lift the salt cap, too? I'm so drunk.

[Will Sommer]

It's crazy. I mean, you know, when you're about to get a barroom fight over the salt cap, I do think it's, then you're in Washington, time to go home. Also, you know, and again, you know, in front of a reporter, because at first I was like, how is Rhys reporting this story so confidently? You know, he knows every detail.

[Sam Stein]

He made it very clear.

[Will Sommer]

Yes.

[Sam Stein]

He made it clear he was there.

[Will Sommer]

The answer is he's there. Yes. And so, you know, I think it's just this, this bizarre situation. And, you know, one thing I do want to note here is that William Paul, as the article notes, has a history of sort of like drunken incidents. In 2013, he was arrested for assaulting a flight attendant and got some related alcohol charges. Those charges were dropped. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to DUI. So this is sort of a thread that has been ongoing.

[Sam Stein]

What do you make of the, the Massey primary? Sort of this kind of proxy, I mean, it is obviously a proxy war about Trumpism and the future of the Republican Party. And a lot of people are watching this to see if he gets knocked off. But, you know, I mean, what are the dividing lines as you see him, beyond Jews, Jews versus non Jews?

[Will Sommer]

Yeah. I mean, you know, so obviously Rand Paul and Massey, they have a lot in common. They're kind of libertarian minded. They're more willing to buck Trump than a lot of, you know, basically anyone, any other Republican in Congress. They're both in Kentucky. And so I think this, this has, as you said, I mean, it's become a lot about, you know, people who are supportive of Israel going after Mass, who I think has been more critical of Israel. And also, you know, I think from Rand Paul's point of view and his son is perhaps like this idea of, you know, is will Trump truly, like, just be able to knock any Republican who challenges him out just Knock them out at will.

[Sam Stein]

Well, it certainly seems that way. Right? I mean, what we just got off of the Indiana Senate primaries where Trump went after six or seven of the senators who voted against redistricting and basically knocked them all out. And that, that, that's incredibly chilling for anyone who's a lawmaker. And I think it would be even more chilling if Massey loses his seat because Massie has made a point. It wasn't just like, you know, redistricting in one state. He was like, I'm going to. He's basically voted against all the major initiatives. He was obviously the point person from the Republican Party in releasing the Epstein files. If he gets tossed, I think it sends an incredible message to everyone else who remains in the party. You never cross Trump, which is kind of weird, too, because Trump's like, Trump is entering lame duck status and he's at 34 approval rating, and yet that, you know, he is the axle around which all of this rotates.

[Will Sommer]

Yeah, I mean, I think it's very telling that, you know, as you said, I mean, he's not going to be around for much longer, at least in the White House, you know, for a few more years. And yet he, he still has that real iron grip on the party. You know, of course, Massey, you know, really infuriated Trump by pushing for the release of the Epstein files. And so I think this would be a real payback for.

[Sam Stein]

The White House has ran, as we're recording this at like 3:15. Has Rand Paul commented on his son?

[Will Sommer]

No, no, not, Not. Not thus far. You know, and of course, the other thing to note here, of course, is that Ron Paul, William Paul's grandson, had issues with this. Right. Anti Semitism in his newsletter is going to affect wacky Libertarian newsletter. So this is a, you know, he comes by it honestly. But, but, but, you know, I, I

[Sam Stein]

might be in the family genes.

[Will Sommer]

Family thing. Yes.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah. Family practice here. Can we. Do you want to talk a little bit about the other Massey thing?

[Will Sommer]

I mean, right now, I mean, that's kind of the elephant in the room, or should I say the cow in the room. So, yeah, so I, I think, you know, if I can kind of psychoanalyze William Paul, this is happening at a moment where he's, he's having this drunken exchange Tuesday night that, earlier that day, that morning, this kind of bombshell, weird campaign tactic video alleging that Massie had a relationship, but that maybe there was like some hush money involved. Essentially. What happened is this woman comes out and she says two months after Massie's wife died in 2024. She contacted her on Twitter, this woman, and they struck up a sexual relationship.

[Spin Quest Advertiser]

How would you describe the way he

[Sam Stein]

was treating you at the beginning of

[Spin Quest Disclaimer Voice]

this, what you thought was a developing relationship? I mean, it was very intense, very, very romantic, intense relationship that was forming very quickly.

[Will Sommer]

She claims that he wanted her to move from Florida to D.C. so he got her a job working in Congresswoman Victoria Spartz's office. That job fizzled. Eventually, this woman was going to file, like, a workplace ethics complaint against Sparts that was going to implicate Massey in some way. And he offered her, According to her, $5,000 in untraceable, quote, cow money. Because Massey raises and sells cows, and apparently this is like the ultimate, you know, illicit underground of all cash payments. So he said, look, let me break you off a couple of cow bucks here. And ultimately it was, why is cow

[Sam Stein]

money just straight cash? Out of curiosity, do we know?

[Will Sommer]

I mean, you know, these fellas, you know, you're at the rodeo, you know, you're not going to go, are you going to have a little square plugged in your phone?

[Sam Stein]

No, on the cow. Attached to the cow. Swipe the cow. All right, now, it's a weird one. And Massey, what is he saying about this?

[Will Sommer]

Well, Massey has said basically that there was nothing untoward here. This woman said that she ended the relationship because she wasn't comfortable with what he wanted her to do. But. So it's kind of not like a traditional. Me, too. There's not really, like, a straightforward allegation of abuse, but it certainly is not the story I think Thomas Massie wants to be grappling with. You know, and. And look, I mean, you know, there's also this aspect of. In terms of, like, is her. Did she really have this relationship with him? I mean, I looked at her divorce files going back. She. This came up in her divorce from her husband because he was tweeting at Massey, hey, I'm in the military. Stop screwing my wife. And, like, I used to like Thomas Massie until he had an affair with my wife. And so this. This was all out there, you know, to be grabbed.

[Sam Stein]

Just to be clear, Massie was a widow at that point. It wasn't that he was having an affair.

[Will Sommer]

Yeah, he was a widower, and she was on her way to getting divorced. But Massey's critics and, like, really Trump loyalists like Laura Loomer have really seized on this as sort of like, it's over for you, Thomas Massie.

[Sam Stein]

And it might be. Honestly, it's a classic situation where, you know, the shit gets dumped right before the election. You know, public opinion moves very sadly in one direction. I saw some polls that showed him down today and, you know, doesn't excuse William fucking Paul from blaming the Jews, let's just put it that way. And Mike Lawler, look, you handled it fine. I appreciate you, you know, standing up for the Jews. Don't be ashamed about saying, yeah, I might be Jewish. You might have some Judaism in you, Michael. Just, you know, it's not a bad thing. All right, well, thanks so much for doing this. Appreciate it, buddy. Really weird stuff, but you're the best person to sort through it. Thank you.

[Spin Quest Advertiser]

Whether it's slots or live dealers, Spinquest.com has the fun in action you're looking for with Spin Quest exclusives. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and even live dice with craps and bubble craps. The games never stop, so you don't have to. And right now, new users get $30 coin packs for just 10 bucks. Play [e-mail] SpinQuest is a free to

[Spin Quest Disclaimer Voice]

play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.