A CNN report recently unveiled that Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a Republican gubernatorial candidate from North Carolina, made offensive remarks on a pornographic website over ten years ago. Using the alias “minisoldr,” Robinson described himself as a “black NAZI” and even supported slavery. Additionally, he mentioned spying on women at age 14. This revelation has raised concerns among Republicans, particularly regarding the potential impact on Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, as Robinson is a key ally.
Robinson, who was elected in 2020 as North Carolina’s first black lieutenant governor, has a history of making incendiary comments, including remarks about Jews and the LGBTQ+ community. As the North Carolina gubernatorial election approaches, political analysts are debating how this latest controversy might affect both Robinson’s campaign and Trump’s bid for the presidency.
Political figures across the spectrum have reacted. Republicans in North Carolina have voiced concerns about Robinson’s impact on Trump’s standing in the state. Doug Heye, a GOP strategist, claimed Robinson’s campaign was already faltering, describing the situation as a “distraction” for Trump’s team. Prominent Democratic figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, have linked Robinson’s controversial behavior to Trump, releasing videos portraying the two as close allies.
Best friends ❤️ pic.twitter.com/baS5sRfzIo
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) September 19, 2024
Despite the controversy, the Trump campaign has maintained confidence. Karoline Leavitt, a Trump campaign spokesperson, emphasized that the focus remains on winning the White House and protecting the nation. She stated that voters in North Carolina would choose Trump’s record of economic stability over the Biden-Harris administration.
Robinson has denied the allegations, stating, “Those are not the words of Mark Robinson” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Despite the mounting criticism, Robinson confirmed he is staying in the race, determined to “win it.”
I wanted to take a minute to address the latest outrageous lies coming from my opponent’s dishonest campaign: #ncgov #ncpol pic.twitter.com/RtteVUiozr
— Mark Robinson (@markrobinsonNC) September 19, 2024
Trump is set to visit North Carolina soon, with polls showing a tight race between him and Harris in the state, which has traditionally been a Republican stronghold. In 2020, Trump narrowly defeated Joe Biden in North Carolina by less than 2%. This election cycle, Democrats have been heavily campaigning in the state, hoping to flip the key battleground.
