{"id":6464,"date":"2024-10-05T21:27:05","date_gmt":"2024-10-05T21:27:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/turkblogs.com\/?p=6464"},"modified":"2024-10-05T21:27:06","modified_gmt":"2024-10-05T21:27:06","slug":"the-gop-congressman-who-cant-let-go-of-his-michael-jackson-fandom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/turkblogs.com\/en\/the-gop-congressman-who-cant-let-go-of-his-michael-jackson-fandom\/","title":{"rendered":"The GOP Congressman Who Can’t Let Go of His Michael Jackson Fandom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mike Lawler wears many hats: Congressman, New Yorker, and Republican. Yet, one of the lesser-known details about Lawler is his enduring fandom for the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. From attending Jackson’s trial in 2005 to following the extended Jackson family on social media, Lawler’s admiration for the iconic singer runs deep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a 2023 interview with Roll Call<\/em>, Lawler reflected on his love for Jackson’s music, naming a 2001 performance as one of his all-time favorite concerts. His devotion goes beyond casual fandom\u2014Lawler even shared a photo on Instagram of Michael Jackson’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, further showcasing his admiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawler\u2019s political rise has been meteoric, best known for unseating Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) in the last election cycle. Despite his presence as a rising star in the GOP, his passion for Jackson might come as a surprise to some. Lawler, a regular on Fox News, has focused much of his political work on issues like raising the cap on the State and Local Tax deduction and working to oust fellow New York Republican George Santos. Yet, his fandom of Michael Jackson persists, confirmed by his campaign spokesperson, Chris Russell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It\u2019s true that Congressman Lawler\u2014who is known to have performed the Moonwalk once or twice\u2014is a fan of Michael Jackson\u2019s music and even attended one of his last concerts at Madison Square Garden in 2001,” Russell said, adding with a nod to Jackson\u2019s famous song, “As to any questions about the Congressman being a \u2018super fan,\u2019 just beat it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawler’s connection to Jackson <\/a>goes back decades, with Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story<\/em>, a 2009 biography by entertainment reporter J. Randy Taraborrelli, offering insight into the depth of his admiration. Taraborrelli describes Lawler as an \u201cardent Jackson admirer,\u201d revealing how the then-18-year-old Lawler attended Jackson\u2019s 2005 trial in California. Lawler, intensely engaged with the proceedings, found himself removed from the courtroom after reacting negatively to the testimony of Janet Arvizo, the mother of Jackson’s accuser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the controversial nature of the trial and subsequent allegations against Jackson, Lawler has remained loyal to the pop star\u2019s legacy. Jackson was acquitted of all charges in 2005, but accusations of abuse have continued to surface, notably in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland<\/em>. Even so, Lawler continues to follow Jackson-related accounts on social media, showing support for members of the Jackson family, including Paris Jackson and original members of the Jackson 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Lawler gears up for a tough re-election campaign against former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) in a newly redrawn district, his personal interests in music offer a glimpse into the man behind the politics. While Lawler\u2019s fandom may seem unexpected to some, he is not the only politician with strong musical tastes. From Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Chris Coons (D-CT) debating over their love for K-pop group BTS to Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), a fan of Harry Styles and Ariana Grande, Capitol Hill has its share of music enthusiasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael Jackson, too, had his moments in Washington, D.C. In 1984, he received an award from President Ronald Reagan and performed at President Bill Clinton\u2019s Inaugural gala in 1993. He also met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus in 2004 to discuss humanitarian efforts in Africa. His influence in the capital remains notable, with Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) introducing a resolution after his death in 2009 to honor him as an “American legend and musical icon.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Lawler\u2019s political career may continue to evolve, one thing seems certain: his admiration for the King of Pop will always be part of his story, even as he navigates the challenges of Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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