Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor in North Carolina, is under fire following a CNN investigation that unearthed explicit comments allegedly made by Robinson on a pornography website's message board over a decade ago. According to the CNN report, Robinson used the username "minisoldr" between 2008 and 2012 to post racially and sexually inflammatory remarks on "Nude Africa," a pornographic website with a message board.
The CNN report claims that Robinson referred to himself as a "black NAZI," expressed enjoyment in watching transgender pornography, and made numerous lewd comments. One of the posts from 2012 reportedly included Robinson stating that he preferred Adolf Hitler to then-President Barack Obama, and he also made derogatory comments about civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., calling him "worse than a maggot."
CNN was able to trace the account to Robinson by comparing usernames, a shared email address, and various personal details, such as his age, length of marriage, and other biographical information. The network said it only reported a portion of the comments due to their graphic nature.
Mark Robinson's Denial and Defense
In response to the allegations, Robinson strongly denied making the posts, releasing a video statement in which he said, "Let me reassure you the things that you will see in that story — those are not the words of Mark Robinson." Despite his denial, the accusations have caused a significant shake-up within his campaign, with multiple top staff members stepping down.
Robinson’s campaign senior adviser, campaign manager, and two other high-level staffers resigned following the CNN report. Robinson confirmed the resignations, stating, “We’re right in the process right now of forming a team that we know can still lead us to victory.” Additionally, four other key aides have reportedly left the campaign as well, according to a senior adviser.
Loss of Republican Governors Association Support
One of the most significant blows to Robinson's gubernatorial campaign came when the Republican Governors Association (RGA) decided to pull its support. The RGA had been running ads in support of Robinson but announced it would no longer back him following the CNN revelations. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, chair of the RGA, said, “Our current media buy in North Carolina expires tomorrow, and no further placements have been made,” effectively ending their ad campaign for Robinson. He also mentioned that a fundraiser planned for Robinson was canceled.
Courtney Alexander, a spokesperson for the RGA, reiterated the association’s stance, stating, "RGA remains committed to electing Republican Governors all across the country." The withdrawal of RGA support is a notable setback for Robinson, particularly as polls show his Democratic rival, Josh Stein, maintaining a lead in the race and outspending Robinson on the airwaves.
Impact on Robinson's Campaign and Broader Elections
The controversy comes at a critical time for Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign. With ballots already mailed out and North Carolina being a key swing state in the 2024 presidential election, many in the Republican Party fear that Robinson’s controversy could negatively impact the broader race. However, some Republican leaders remain hopeful that voters will separate Robinson’s gubernatorial race from the presidential contest.
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson said, “I think voters are smart enough to differentiate one race from another,” expressing optimism that the controversy wouldn’t extend beyond the governor's race.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, who had endorsed Robinson for governor, has distanced himself from the candidate in recent weeks. Robinson was notably absent from Trump’s recent rally in Wilmington, and Trump made no mention of him. Additionally, Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, commented on the situation, calling Robinson's alleged remarks “pretty gross” but ultimately leaving it up to the voters of North Carolina to decide. “Mark Robinson says that those statements are false, that he didn’t actually speak them. So, I think it’s up to Mark Robinson to make his case to the people of North Carolina that those weren’t his statements,” Vance told reporters.
Robinson’s Response and Campaign Focus
Despite the challenges, Robinson remains defiant, indicating he plans to continue his gubernatorial campaign. Speaking at an event in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Robinson expressed his intent to rebuild his campaign team and move forward. “We have full confidence in our ability to keep going,” he said, also mentioning that his campaign is "getting offers from all over" for support.
At the same event, Robinson mentioned his intention to take legal action against CNN, stating, “You better understand I am coming after CNN full throttle.” CNN has not responded to Robinson’s threat.
Robinson continues to push his campaign platform, focusing on key issues such as the economy, public safety, healthcare, and education. He frequently speaks about his working-class background, having grown up in poverty, declaring bankruptcy, and experiencing job losses due to outsourcing. His speeches often emphasize his personal connection to the struggles faced by North Carolina’s working-class citizens.
Democrats Ramp Up Campaign Against Robinson
Democratic candidate Josh Stein and his allies have ramped up their campaign efforts in light of the controversy. They have launched ads targeting Robinson’s controversial statements, including comments he made in 2021 when he referred to gay and transgender people as "filth" during a church speech. Stein’s campaign has also highlighted Robinson’s 2019 Facebook post, in which he described abortion in America as “killing the child because you weren’t responsible enough to keep your skirt down or your pants up.”
Stein, who currently serves as North Carolina’s attorney general, has outspent Robinson significantly on television ads and other media, and he maintains a lead in the polls as the gubernatorial race continues.
The CNN report claims that Robinson referred to himself as a "black NAZI," expressed enjoyment in watching transgender pornography, and made numerous lewd comments. One of the posts from 2012 reportedly included Robinson stating that he preferred Adolf Hitler to then-President Barack Obama, and he also made derogatory comments about civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., calling him "worse than a maggot."
CNN was able to trace the account to Robinson by comparing usernames, a shared email address, and various personal details, such as his age, length of marriage, and other biographical information. The network said it only reported a portion of the comments due to their graphic nature.
Mark Robinson's Denial and Defense
In response to the allegations, Robinson strongly denied making the posts, releasing a video statement in which he said, "Let me reassure you the things that you will see in that story — those are not the words of Mark Robinson." Despite his denial, the accusations have caused a significant shake-up within his campaign, with multiple top staff members stepping down.
Robinson’s campaign senior adviser, campaign manager, and two other high-level staffers resigned following the CNN report. Robinson confirmed the resignations, stating, “We’re right in the process right now of forming a team that we know can still lead us to victory.” Additionally, four other key aides have reportedly left the campaign as well, according to a senior adviser.
Loss of Republican Governors Association Support
One of the most significant blows to Robinson's gubernatorial campaign came when the Republican Governors Association (RGA) decided to pull its support. The RGA had been running ads in support of Robinson but announced it would no longer back him following the CNN revelations. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, chair of the RGA, said, “Our current media buy in North Carolina expires tomorrow, and no further placements have been made,” effectively ending their ad campaign for Robinson. He also mentioned that a fundraiser planned for Robinson was canceled.
Courtney Alexander, a spokesperson for the RGA, reiterated the association’s stance, stating, "RGA remains committed to electing Republican Governors all across the country." The withdrawal of RGA support is a notable setback for Robinson, particularly as polls show his Democratic rival, Josh Stein, maintaining a lead in the race and outspending Robinson on the airwaves.
Impact on Robinson's Campaign and Broader Elections
The controversy comes at a critical time for Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign. With ballots already mailed out and North Carolina being a key swing state in the 2024 presidential election, many in the Republican Party fear that Robinson’s controversy could negatively impact the broader race. However, some Republican leaders remain hopeful that voters will separate Robinson’s gubernatorial race from the presidential contest.
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson said, “I think voters are smart enough to differentiate one race from another,” expressing optimism that the controversy wouldn’t extend beyond the governor's race.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, who had endorsed Robinson for governor, has distanced himself from the candidate in recent weeks. Robinson was notably absent from Trump’s recent rally in Wilmington, and Trump made no mention of him. Additionally, Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, commented on the situation, calling Robinson's alleged remarks “pretty gross” but ultimately leaving it up to the voters of North Carolina to decide. “Mark Robinson says that those statements are false, that he didn’t actually speak them. So, I think it’s up to Mark Robinson to make his case to the people of North Carolina that those weren’t his statements,” Vance told reporters.
Robinson’s Response and Campaign Focus
Despite the challenges, Robinson remains defiant, indicating he plans to continue his gubernatorial campaign. Speaking at an event in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Robinson expressed his intent to rebuild his campaign team and move forward. “We have full confidence in our ability to keep going,” he said, also mentioning that his campaign is "getting offers from all over" for support.
At the same event, Robinson mentioned his intention to take legal action against CNN, stating, “You better understand I am coming after CNN full throttle.” CNN has not responded to Robinson’s threat.
Robinson continues to push his campaign platform, focusing on key issues such as the economy, public safety, healthcare, and education. He frequently speaks about his working-class background, having grown up in poverty, declaring bankruptcy, and experiencing job losses due to outsourcing. His speeches often emphasize his personal connection to the struggles faced by North Carolina’s working-class citizens.
Democrats Ramp Up Campaign Against Robinson
Democratic candidate Josh Stein and his allies have ramped up their campaign efforts in light of the controversy. They have launched ads targeting Robinson’s controversial statements, including comments he made in 2021 when he referred to gay and transgender people as "filth" during a church speech. Stein’s campaign has also highlighted Robinson’s 2019 Facebook post, in which he described abortion in America as “killing the child because you weren’t responsible enough to keep your skirt down or your pants up.”
Stein, who currently serves as North Carolina’s attorney general, has outspent Robinson significantly on television ads and other media, and he maintains a lead in the polls as the gubernatorial race continues.
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