Donald Trump is under pressure from both allies and internal campaign members to reconsider his endorsement of Mark Robinson, a gubernatorial candidate in North Carolina facing controversy due to past offensive remarks. Despite these calls, there are currently no plans for Trump to withdraw his support.
Robinson, who is the state’s lieutenant governor, came under scrutiny after a CNN report revealed that he made a series of inappropriate comments on a pornography message board from 2008 to 2012. These comments included calling himself a “black NAZI!” and expressing enjoyment of derogatory terms related to transgender individuals, alongside sharing a personal anecdote about spying on women at gyms when he was 14.
The Trump campaign has largely focused its response on broader campaign strategies, avoiding direct mention of the allegations against Robinson. Karoline Leavitt, press secretary for the Trump campaign, stated that the main priority is winning the White House and emphasized the importance of North Carolina in these plans. She also labeled reports about Trump potentially retracting his endorsement as “false.”
Some advisors within Trump’s team have suggested he should distance himself from Robinson, but these suggestions have so far been ignored. Additional pressure is expected from Republican figures in North Carolina, including Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, who are reportedly planning to privately urge Trump to rescind his endorsement.
Budd referred to Robinson’s past remarks as “disgusting,” emphasizing that Robinson must prove the comments did not originate from him. Robinson, facing the mounting scandal, released a video asserting his innocence and claiming to be a victim of unfair treatment akin to that experienced by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Despite the turmoil, Robinson is set to remain the Republican nominee for governor, as his candidacy cannot be withdrawn following the recent deadline. Trump’s endorsement is particularly significant given the state’s role as a key battleground in the upcoming presidential election, where recent polling indicates a close race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Robinson has a history of polarizing statements, including derogatory comments about LGBTQ+ individuals and women seeking abortions. The renewed scrutiny from his past comments poses a potential risk for Trump’s campaign, especially since the candidates’ reputations could impact partisan alignments in critical swing states.
Trump has previously faced similar situations with controversial candidates, including backing Roy Moore in Alabama, whose campaign was marred by serious allegations, and Madison Cawthorn in North Carolina, who was involved in several scandals before losing his election bid.