New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler acknowledged that he darkened his face as part of a Michael Jackson Halloween costume, which he called an “homage,” after The New York Times reported Thursday 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.

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler said he was sorry after the New York Times obtained photos of him wearing blackface about two decades ago at a college Halloween costume party where he dressed as Michael Jackson.