GOP Rep. Lawler Acknowledges Darkening His Face as Part of Michael Jackson Halloween Costume After Photo Surfaces
Representative Mike Lawler from New York has acknowledged wearing blackface as part of a Michael Jackson Halloween costume during his college years nearly twenty years ago. The photographs, recently acquired by The New York Times, depict a 20-year-old Lawler at a campus event, dressed as the iconic Michael Jackson. He sports a black shirt paired with a red jacket and strikes a well-known Jackson dance move. His face is noticeably darkened as part of the costume.
Lawler, who has emerged as a prominent figure in the Republican party from the Hudson Valley, has often expressed his deep admiration for Jackson. However, these photographs mark the first documented occasion of Lawler, who is white, adopting the appearance of the Black artist through the use of blackface—a practice that has been widely condemned as racist.
Lawler acknowledged the authenticity of the photographs and explained in a statement that his costume was meant to be “a sincere form of flattery, a true tribute to my musical idol since childhood, when I would attempt to moonwalk in my mother’s kitchen.” He further clarified, “The abhorrent act of blackface was the last thing on my mind. To be clear, this is not that”.
The images could impact Lawler’s upcoming re-election campaign, as he faces Democratic challenger Mondaire Jones, a former congressman in a competitive suburban district. Additionally, Lawler is contemplating a gubernatorial bid in 2026.
