North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson will not attend former President Donald Trump’s rally scheduled for Saturday in Wilmington. This decision comes after a CNN report raised allegations regarding his posts on a pornography website’s message board. Two individuals familiar with the situation confirmed Robinson’s absence, indicating that it was part of internal planning for the event.
Robinson, who has frequently joined Trump’s campaign events in North Carolina, has faced scrutiny following the release of the CNN report. While Trump has previously praised Robinson, calling him “Martin Luther King on steroids,” the campaign’s recent statements did not mention the lieutenant governor, focusing instead on the strategic importance of North Carolina for their efforts.
Despite the controversy, Robinson remains in the race as the Republican candidate for governor, with no signs of withdrawal despite the deadline having passed. His continued candidacy may impact the GOP’s chances in other closely contested races, including Trump’s re-election bid in a state he has won twice.
Robinson has denied any involvement with the alleged posts, which contained racially charged and sexual remarks, asserting that he will not be driven out by “salacious tabloid lies.” He won his GOP primary in March but has been lagging behind Democratic nominee Josh Stein in recent polling.
In a video addressed to supporters, he rejected the legitimacy of the claims brought forth in the CNN article, affirming, “Those are not the words of Mark Robinson.” He stressed that he remains committed to winning the race for governor.
Robinson’s history of controversial remarks has drawn criticism from Stein, who argues Robinson’s views are too extreme for North Carolina’s leadership. This controversy may impact the broader electoral landscape, with potential ramifications for control in swing congressional districts and the state legislature.
CNN’s report outlined numerous disturbing comments allegedly made by Robinson, including derogatory statements about civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and admissions regarding past sexual thoughts. The report suggested that these posts were verified through matching usernames and personal information linked to Robinson. The state Republican Party defended Robinson while acknowledging concerns from within its ranks regarding the allegations.
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, recently commented that it was a challenging day for the party but emphasized the importance of focusing on winnable races, highlighting the potential risk of losing North Carolina to Democrats.
In response to the fallout from the report, Democrats have seized the opportunity to criticize Robinson, circulating images of him with Trump and other GOP figures. They have emphasized Robinson’s past controversial statements, which may further undermine his campaign.
Robinson, who became lieutenant governor in 2020, has a personal narrative defined by overcoming poverty and facing adversity, while also claiming bankruptcy in the past. As the political landscape unfolds, Democratic Governor Roy Cooper remarked that Trump and North Carolina GOP leaders have long known Robinson’s positions and now face the consequences of their political alliances.