New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler dressed in black while impersonating his musical idol Michael Jackson decades ago.
An explosive new Facebook image that recently resurfaced could spell trouble for the Republican who is locked in a tight re-election race.
The Republican lawmaker did not deny that he darkened his face for the outfit worn as part of a Halloween costume in 2006.
“The ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind,” Lawler told DailyMail.com in a statement. “Let me be clear: this is not that.”
Lawler, a lifelong Jackson superfan, can be seen striking a dramatic pose while donning a black shirt and red ‘Thriller’ jacket in an image first reported by The New York Times.
His face is also obviously darkened, giving it a light brown glow, while his white hands and neck are in stark contrast.
She admitted that she borrowed bronzer from a classmate to finish her look.
Lawler, 38, appeared in blackface in a photo in which he dressed as Michael Jackson for Halloween when he was a 2-year-old college student. He has admitted that he is a ‘Super Fan’ of the King of Pop
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Lawler, 38, has represented New York’s 17th Congressional District since 2023 and has been a rising star within the House Republican caucus.
He said his megafandom is to blame.
“As is well documented… I was a supposed ‘super fan’ of Michael Jackson, to the point that I was mentioned by name in his biography for my outspoken support of him and the Jackson family,” Lawler said. DailyMail.com.
It seemed to reference the biography ‘Michael Jackson: The Magic, the Madness, the Whole Story’ by J. Randy Taraborrelli, in which the Republican is mentioned.
While in high school, a younger Lawler traveled to California to attend parts of Jackson’s criminal trial, where he was accused of sexually abusing a boy.
Lawler entered the courtroom with the writer’s help, and the future lawmaker was eventually thrown out of the courtroom after muttering “something derogatory under his breath,” according to the book.
Michael Jackson performing ‘Thriller’ in 1983. Lawler dons a similar style jacket in his 2006 Halloween photo impersonating Jackson.
The Republican was first elected in 2022 and represents a district just north of New York City.
Lawler is shown here with his wife in New York City, near Radio City Music Hall.
‘I loved Michael’s music, I was impressed by him as a performer and by his impact on pop culture. “One of my best memories is attending his concert at MSG before his untimely death,” the Republican’s statement continued.
“When I tried to imitate Michael’s legendary dance moves at a college Halloween party eighteen years ago, the ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind. “Let me be clear: this is not that.”
“Rather, my costume was intended to be the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to one of my childhood idols since I was a little boy trying to moonwalk through my mom’s kitchen.”
The image was taken when Lawler was 20 years old at Manhattan College, according to The Times. Former classmates confirmed to the outlet that the images were real, and some recalled seeing the photo posted on Facebook at the time.
‘I’m a history student and to anyone who is offended by the photo, I’m sorry. All you can do is live and learn, and I am grateful for the grace of everyone along the way,’ he concluded his statement.
The Republican did not deny that he appeared in the photos and instead said that his impersonation was a form of flattery.
Former Rep. Mondaire Jones runs against Lawler in close election
The images are likely to prove politically dangerous for the New Yorker.
Lawler faces a tough fight for re-election against former Representative Mondaire Jones, a progressive whom the Republican defeated years ago.
The swing district, which is just north of New York City, could split in either direction in the November elections and could very well decide the closely divided House of Representatives.
Currently, the House has 220 Republicans, 212 Democrats and three vacancies, meaning the GOP can only lose a handful of seats to maintain control.
Recent polls indicate, however, that Lawler has a several-point lead in the race over Jones.
