Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor in North Carolina and current lieutenant governor, is at the center of a scandal following a CNN report that revealed disturbing online comments he allegedly made over a decade ago. These remarks, reportedly posted on a pornographic forum, include Robinson referring to himself as a “Black Nazi,” defending slavery, and discussing his enjoyment of transgender pornography, despite his public stance against transgender rights.
Robinson, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, denied the allegations in a video statement released before the CNN article was published. He labeled the report as “salacious tabloid trash” and accused his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Josh Stein, of orchestrating the story without providing any evidence. Robinson declared that he would remain in the race, emphasizing his commitment to winning the gubernatorial election.
The report detailed multiple offensive comments Robinson allegedly made between 2008 and 2012 on a site called “Nude Africa,” where he used a handle linked to his name. Among the comments were remarks supporting the return of slavery, derogatory statements about Muslims, Jews, Black people, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and claims about spying on women in public showers as a teenager.
The revelations have caused significant controversy, with former GOP Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a critic of Robinson, calling the scandal a “gut punch” for Republicans in North Carolina. Kinzinger warned that the revelations could dampen Republican enthusiasm in the key battleground state, which is crucial in the upcoming presidential election. Polls have already shown Robinson trailing his Democratic opponent, Josh Stein, and the recent scandal could further damage his candidacy.
Despite the growing fallout, Robinson’s campaign is backed by significant funding, with the Republican Governors Association having spent over $12 million on television ads supporting him. While national Republicans have yet to comment directly on the allegations, Trump’s team has attempted to distance itself from the controversy, focusing on the broader campaign for the White House.
Robinson, who has built his political career on conservative, often inflammatory rhetoric, had previously drawn national attention for his controversial statements. However, the latest revelations pose a significant challenge to his campaign and could have wider implications for the Republican Party in North Carolina.
