Republican Rep. Lawler admits he blacked out his face as part of Michael Jackson Halloween costume after photo emerges

Washington
CNN
—

New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler admitted he blacked out his face as part of a Michael Jackson Halloween costume, which he called a “homage” after The New York Times reported Thursday that he did so as a college student wore blackface in 2006.

“Obviously I can’t change what happened 18 years ago,” Lawler said in an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Thursday night. “But with wisdom and age, I certainly understand that I wouldn't do that today, and I certainly understand why people would be upset or offended by that. And I’m sorry about that.”

The New York Times published a photo Thursday of Lawler dressed as Jackson at a social gathering in 2006. The Times reported that Lawler, whose face was visibly darkened, wore a black shirt and red jacket and struck a signature Jackson dance pose in a photo.

Lawler told Collins that there was “no ill intent” behind his costume and that he was not trying to disparage black Americans. He said he used a friend's bronzer as part of a Halloween costume that he said was intended to be “a tribute to someone who was a musical idol for me.”

“I have always loved Michael Jackson's music, his dance moves and his ability to entertain. “Anyone who knows me knows this,” he said, adding that an Andy Warhol painting of the musician hangs in his congressional office in Washington.

Lawler acknowledged blackface's ugly history but said there is a “stark difference” between its use to caricature black people in minstrel shows and other forms of entertainment and his costume.

“Of course we should not and cannot tolerate the degradation and dehumanization of black people,” Lawler said. “And that’s certainly not something I would do, engage in, or tolerate.”

“I understand that this can be very upsetting for someone and so I certainly apologize for that,” he said. “But for me the intention is of course important here.”

Lawler is running against former Democratic Rep. Mondaire Jones in a race that will be one of the biggest tests for Democrats in the state. Several Republican lawmakers – including Lawler – are defending seats. Democrats see this as an important opportunity to regain control of the House of Representatives, where Republicans have a very narrow majority.

This story has been updated with additional details.