GOP Congressman Faces Backlash Over Michael Jackson Birthday Post Amid Blackface Scandal
POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — A Republican representative has sparked controversy by posting a social media message celebrating Michael Jackson’s birthday, reigniting memories of a previous...
POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — A Republican representative has sparked controversy by posting a social media message celebrating Michael Jackson’s birthday, reigniting memories of a previous blackface scandal involving the lawmaker.
New York Rep. Mike Lawler shared a picture of himself on X, dressed in a red leather jacket, a v-neck black t-shirt, and sunglasses, with the caption, It’s a little snug, but it still fits! Happy Birthday MJ. This seemingly innocuous post has drawn attention to an incident from two years ago.
In 2024, The New York Times revealed an old photograph of Lawler wearing blackface while dressed as Jackson for Halloween in 2006, when he was a college student. Blackface, the practice of darkening one’s face to imitate a Black person, is widely condemned as racist.
Lawler, who represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, did not deny the authenticity of the image. He explained to the Times that the costume was intended as “truly the sincerest form of flattery” and a genuine homage to my musical hero.
The post has elicited numerous comments from users referencing the scandal. “No blackface this time around?” one user commented, while another questioned, “Are you really this dumb? You seriously think it is a good idea to remind everyone of when you wore blackface?”
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Lawler is currently running for re-election in November against Democrat Cait Conley, a U.S. Army veteran. Recent polls suggest the race is likely to be close.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
