When Lawler was in college he was photographed wearing blackface as part of a Michael Jackson costume. He attended Manhattan College where only three percent of the students were Black and reportedly used bronzer to darken his face for the costume.
Lawler apologized but claimed his actions were the “sincerest form of flattery” and a “genuine homage to [his] musical hero.” Lawler then tried to make jokes about his actions.
Lawler had an oddly strong obsession with Michael Jackson. It was reported that in 2005 he flew to California to attend part of Michael Jackson’s criminal trial over accusations Jackson molested a young boy. Lawler was reportedly “so disgusted” by the testimony against Jackson that he “couldn’t help but mutter something derogatory under his breath” and was removed from the courtroom.
HEADLINE: "Mike Lawler Is Under Fire For Using Blackface. He Recently Declined To Condemn Racist Rhetoric, Twice." [Politico, 10/4/24]
2006: Lawler Was Photographed Wearing Blackface As Part Of A Michael Jackson Halloween Costume. According to the New York Times, "Representative Mike Lawler of New York wore blackface as part of a Halloween costume when he was a college student almost two decades ago, according to photographs recently obtained by The New York Times. The images, taken around October 2006, show a 20-year-old Mr. Lawler at a campus social gathering dressed as Michael Jackson. He is wearing a black shirt and a red jacket and, in one photo, is striking a signature Jackson dance pose. His face has also been visibly darkened." [New York Times, 10/3/24]
Lawler Apologized For Wearing Blackface In College, But Claimed The Costume Was “The Sincerest Form Of Flattery” And A “Genuine Homage To My Musical Hero.” According to the New York Times, "Mr. Lawler, 38, did not dispute the photos’ authenticity. In a statement, he said that the costume was intended to be ‘truly the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to my musical hero since I was a little kid trying to moonwalk through my mom’s kitchen.’ ‘The ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind,’ he said. ‘Let me be clear, this is not that.’ ‘I am a student of history and for anyone who takes offense to the photo, I am sorry,’ he said, adding: ‘All you can do is live and learn.’" [New York Times, 10/3/24]
2005: Lawler Flew To California To Attend Part Of Michael Jackson’s Criminal Trial, In Which He Was Accused Of Molesting A 13-Year-Old Boy At His Neverland Ranch. According to the New York Times, "In 2005, as a high school senior, Mr. Lawler flew from New York to California to attend parts of Jackson’s criminal trial. The pop star had been charged with molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland Ranch; the case ended in acquittal." [New York Times, 10/3/24]