William Paul Biography: Age, Father Rand Paul, Career, DUI Arrests, Antisemitic Tirade, Education & Facts

William Paul is the eldest son of U.S. Senator Rand Paul and the grandson of former Congressman Ron Paul, making him a third-generation figure in one of America’s most prominent libertarian-conservative political families. A University of Kentucky graduate who has worked as a digital communications operative on Capitol Hill, Paul has spent much of his adult life in the shadow of his father’s national profile. In May 2026, he made national headlines for an alleged drunken, antisemitic confrontation with Congressman Mike Lawler in a Washington, D.C. bar—an incident that reignited scrutiny of his long history of alcohol-related legal troubles dating back to his teenage years.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

William Hilton Paul was born in 1992 in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where his father, Rand Paul, had established an ophthalmology practice after meeting his mother, Kelley Ashby Paul, a native of Russellville, Kentucky . He is the eldest of three sons; his brothers are Duncan Paul and Robert Paul .

Growing up in a household where politics was dinner-table conversation, William spent his formative years in Bowling Green while his father built a medical practice and later launched a Senate campaign. The Paul family was previously active in the Presbyterian church and more recently attended a United Methodist church .

William attended the University of Kentucky in Lexington, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Information Studies and Political Science . During his college years, he faced his first alcohol-related legal incidents, foreshadowing later troubles.

Career Journey

FreedomWorks and Early Digital Communications Work

After graduating from the University of Kentucky, William Paul entered conservative political communications. He joined FreedomWorks, the libertarian-conservative advocacy group, as a Digital Communications Assistant in January 2018 . He was promoted to Digital Communications Manager in January 2021, a role he held until May 2024 . During his tenure at FreedomWorks, he moderated policy discussions, including a 2021 event on stablecoins, CBDCs, and Bitcoin held at the organization’s Washington, D.C. headquarters .

Capitol Hill Staffer

Paul transitioned to congressional staff work in early 2025. According to LegiStorm, a congressional staffing database, he served as Digital Director for Representative Mike Collins (R-GA) from January 2025 to June 2025 . He also reportedly worked for Representative Alex Mooney (R-WV) within the same general timeframe .

His work on Capitol Hill placed him in the heart of Washington’s conservative political machinery, though he remained largely out of the public eye until the May 2026 incident thrust him into national notoriety.

Career Stats & Milestones

• 2018–2021: Digital Communications Assistant, FreedomWorks
• 2021–2024: Digital Communications Manager, FreedomWorks
• 2025: Digital Director, Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA)
• 2025: Staffer, Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV)
• 2013: First alcohol-related arrest (underage drinking, disorderly conduct)
• 2015: Pled guilty to DUI in Kentucky
• 2023: Charged with assaulting flight attendant, underage drinking, disorderly conduct
• 2026: Antisemitic tirade incident at D.C. bar

Personal Life

William Paul keeps his personal life extremely private. No public records indicate whether he is married or has children. Unlike his father and grandfather, who have built careers on public visibility and frequent media appearances, William has maintained a low profile—at least until his legal and behavioral issues became public.

He grew up in a tight-knit family with deep libertarian roots. His grandfather, Ron Paul, served 12 terms in Congress and ran for president three times. His father, Rand Paul, has been a U.S. Senator since 2011 and ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 . The Paul family maintains a residence in Bowling Green, Kentucky, though William appears to have spent recent years based in the Washington, D.C. area for work.

Controversies

2013 Underage Drinking and Disorderly Conduct

William’s first known legal trouble came in January 2013, when he was 19 years old. He was arrested at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in North Carolina and charged with underage drinking, disorderly conduct, and being intoxicated and disruptive on a flight from Kentucky . Senator Paul’s office released a statement asking for privacy, noting that “as many parents with teenagers would understand, his family should be afforded the privacy and respect they deserve in a situation such as this” .

Later that same year, in October 2013, he was cited again for underage drinking at Keeneland racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky, while still a full-time student at the University of Kentucky .

2015 DUI Guilty Plea

In 2015, William pleaded guilty to driving under the influence (DUI) in Kentucky . This marked his third alcohol-related legal incident before age 23.

2023 Flight Attendant Assault Charges

In June 2023, William was charged with assaulting a flight attendant, along with underage drinking, disorderly conduct, and being intoxicated and disruptive . The incident represented a pattern of alcohol-fueled behavior on or near aircraft.

May 2026 Antisemitic Tirade Incident

On May 12, 2026, William Paul allegedly accosted U.S. Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) at a Capitol Hill bar in Washington, D.C. According to a NOTUS reporter who witnessed the exchange, Paul interrupted Lawler’s conversation and launched into a 10-minute antisemitic and homophobic “diatribe” .

Paul allegedly told Lawler that if Representative Thomas Massie lost his Kentucky primary, it would be because of “your people.” When Lawler asked for clarification, Paul responded, “Yeah, you Jews” . Lawler, who is not Jewish, was then told, “Oh wow, I’m so sorry for calling you a Jew.” Paul reportedly went on to claim Jewish people were “anti-American” and that Massie and Rand Paul were the only lawmakers who cared about the country . He also allegedly made homophobic comments and referenced billionaire Paul Singer .

Lawler recounted the incident to reporters on Capitol Hill, stating he had not heard from Senator Paul since the encounter . The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned the remarks, with spokesperson Lauren Wolman stating, “The fact that a Member of Congress was subjected to this vitriol is deeply troubling” .

William Paul later posted an apology on his X (Twitter) account: “Last night, I had too much to drink and said some things that don’t represent who I really am… I’m sorry and today I am seeking help for my drinking problem” .

Awards & Achievements

William Paul has not received any publicly documented awards or professional honors. His career has been that of a behind-the-scenes political operative rather than a public-facing figure.

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“Last night, I had too much to drink and said some things that don’t represent who I really am. I’m sorry and today I am seeking help for my drinking problem.”
— William Paul, X (Twitter) apology, May 13, 2026

“Sen. Paul is a national public figure and subject to scrutiny in the public arena, however, as many parents with teenagers would understand, his family should be afforded the privacy and respect they deserve in a situation such as this.”
— Rand Paul communications director Moria Bagley, January 2013

Favorites

• College: University of Kentucky Wildcats
• Political Figures: Rand Paul, Thomas Massie, Ron Paul
• Political Advocacy: FreedomWorks (former employer)
• Region: Kentucky (family home); Washington, D.C. (work base)

Earnings

William Paul’s exact salary and net worth have not been publicly disclosed. As a congressional Digital Director, his salary likely fell in the range of $50,000 to $80,000 annually, typical for House staffers in communications roles. His previous role at FreedomWorks as a mid-level manager would have paid similarly. There are no public indications of independent wealth or business ventures outside his employment.

Interesting Facts

• William Paul is the grandson of Ron Paul, the three-time presidential candidate and 12-term Texas congressman known as the “godfather” of the modern libertarian movement .
• His father, Rand Paul, was the first senator to test positive for COVID-19 in March 2020 .
• William’s brother Duncan also attended the University of Kentucky, while youngest brother Robert attended a private school in the Washington, D.C. area .
• The May 2026 incident occurred while his father was actively supporting Thomas Massie in a heated Kentucky primary against Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein .
• William’s pattern of alcohol-related incidents spans more than a decade, from age 19 to age 34.

Did You Know Already?

• William Paul’s first arrest in 2013 came just days after his father was sworn in for his second Senate term.
• He worked at FreedomWorks for over six years, climbing from assistant to manager before jumping to Capitol Hill.
• His 2023 flight attendant assault charge was filed in the same month his father was serving as Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
• The May 2026 bar incident was witnessed by a reporter from NOTUS, an affiliate of the Allbritton Journalism Institute, not a partisan outlet.

Social Media Links

• X (Twitter): Account exists (used to post May 2026 apology; handle not publicly verified)
• LegiStorm Profile: William Hilton Paul — Congressional Staff Record
• FreedomWorks (Former Employer): FreedomWorks Official Site

Note: William Paul does not appear to maintain publicly active Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is William Paul?
William Paul is the eldest son of U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and the grandson of former Congressman Ron Paul. He is a digital communications professional who has worked for FreedomWorks and as a congressional staffer.

How old is William Paul?
He was born in 1992, making him approximately 34 years old as of 2026. His exact birth date has not been publicly disclosed.

What did William Paul do to Mike Lawler?
On May 12, 2026, William Paul allegedly confronted Representative Mike Lawler at a D.C. bar and subjected him to a 10-minute antisemitic and homophobic tirade, including calling Jewish people “anti-American.” He later apologized and said he would seek help for alcohol abuse.

What is William Paul’s job?
Most recently, he worked as Digital Director for Representative Mike Collins (R-GA) from January to June 2025. He previously spent over six years at FreedomWorks in digital communications roles.

Where did William Paul go to college?
He earned a B.A. in Communication and Information Studies and Political Science from the University of Kentucky.

Does William Paul have a criminal record?
He has multiple alcohol-related legal incidents, including a 2013 arrest for underage drinking and disorderly conduct, a 2015 DUI guilty plea, and 2023 charges for assaulting a flight attendant while intoxicated.

Conclusion

William Paul occupies a complicated space in American political life: the scion of a famous libertarian dynasty who has struggled to escape the shadow of his father and grandfather while grappling with repeated personal and legal challenges. His May 2026 antisemitic tirade—apologized for but not easily forgotten—threatens to define his public identity far more than his years of digital communications work ever could. Whether he can rebuild his career and reputation remains to be seen, but his story serves as a stark reminder that even political royalty is not immune to very public falls from grace.

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