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.

New York Rep. Mike Lawler acknowledged photos of him wearing blackface as Michael Jackson after they surfaced on Thursday, Oct. 3. The pictures were taken in 2006, when Lawler was in college.

MAGA congressman seen in photo wearing blackface as part of Michael Jackson Halloween costume - ‘This was really not what could truly be construed as blackface,’ Mike Lawler claimed during his apology