Rep. Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.) has acknowledged that he wore blackface as a college student nearly two decades ago, darkening his face as part of a Michael Jackson Halloween costume. “Obviously I can’t change what happened 18 years ago,

New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler acknowledged that he darkened his face as part of a Michael Jackson costume, which he called an “homage”, after The New York Times reported that he wore blackface as a college student in 2006.

MAGA lawmaker Mike Lawler has been forced to apologize after a photo emerged of him wearing blackface at a Halloween college party. The photo of the 38-year-old rising House star, published by The New YorkTimes, shows Lawler dressed as Michael Jackson at a party at Manhattan College in October 2006.