Mark Robinson Skips Trump Rally After CNN Report \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson will miss Donald Trump’s rally in Wilmington, following allegations of disturbing online posts revealed by CNN. Robinson, a frequent Trump ally, denies the accusations but faces mounting political pressure. His absence raises concerns about the impact on GOP campaigns, including his bid for governor.
Mark Robinson and Trump Rally Absence: Quick Looks
- Robinson Won’t Attend: North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson will skip Trump’s rally after CNN’s report on controversial online posts allegedly made by Robinson.
- Political Liability: Robinson’s absence reflects the potential damage his candidacy could cause for Trump and down-ballot Republican candidates.
- Frequent Trump Ally: Robinson has often appeared at Trump’s North Carolina events and was previously praised by Trump as “Martin Luther King on steroids.”
- Robinson Denies Allegations: Robinson denies writing the posts, which included racial slurs and inappropriate sexual comments, claiming they are “salacious tabloid lies.”
- Political Fallout: Democrats have capitalized on the controversy, linking Robinson to Trump and other Republicans, while urging voters to consider these ties during the election.
- Tight Governor’s Race: Robinson is trailing in recent polls against Democratic candidate Josh Stein, raising concerns for the GOP.
- Divisive Comments: CNN reported Robinson allegedly attacked civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and described himself as a “black NAZI” in online forums over a decade ago.
- State GOP Response: While Robinson has denied the allegations, top Republicans are urging him to address the claims to avoid further political damage.
Deep Look
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson will be notably absent from Donald Trump’s rally in Wilmington on Saturday, a decision that follows a CNN report detailing alleged disturbing online posts from Robinson’s past. Robinson, a staunch Trump supporter and the Republican gubernatorial candidate for North Carolina, faces mounting political pressure after the report, which surfaced on Thursday, prompted significant fallout within the GOP. Robinson’s absence from the rally highlights the potential threat he poses not only to his own campaign but also to Trump and other Republican candidates running in North Carolina’s crucial elections.
According to sources familiar with the Trump campaign, Robinson is not expected to attend the Wilmington event. This marks a shift in the close relationship between the two figures, as Robinson has been a frequent presence at Trump’s North Carolina rallies. In the past, Trump has offered strong support for Robinson, praising him as “Martin Luther King on steroids” and endorsing his candidacy. However, the aftermath of the CNN report has caused Trump’s campaign to distance itself from the lieutenant governor, with no direct mention of Robinson in recent statements. Instead, the Trump campaign issued a general statement underscoring North Carolina’s importance as a key battleground state without addressing Robinson’s involvement.
The CNN report claims that Robinson posted a series of inflammatory and sexually explicit comments on an online message board over a decade ago. These posts allegedly include derogatory remarks about civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., with Robinson referring to himself as a “black NAZI,” as well as explicit discussions of voyeurism and pornography. CNN said it verified the account tied to these posts by matching various personal details, such as Robinson’s age, marital history, and speech patterns, with known information about the lieutenant governor. However, Robinson has denied writing the posts, dismissing them as “salacious tabloid lies” meant to derail his political career.
Despite his denial, Robinson’s refusal to attend Trump’s rally signals the growing liability his candidacy poses for Republicans, particularly as he faces increased scrutiny in the race for governor. Robinson’s campaign has not responded to requests for comment on his Saturday plans, and the deadline for him to withdraw from the race passed on Thursday. According to state law, Robinson could have been replaced by another GOP candidate had he withdrawn before the first absentee ballots were distributed. With that window closed, Republicans are now grappling with how to manage the fallout from the allegations.
Robinson has faced criticism throughout his political career for making inflammatory remarks, and Democratic nominee Josh Stein, the state’s attorney general, has frequently pointed to Robinson’s controversial statements as evidence that he is too extreme to govern North Carolina. Polls indicate that Robinson has been trailing Stein in the governor’s race, and the allegations have further complicated his path to victory. Stein and other Democrats have used Robinson’s comments as a rallying cry, warning that his leadership would be detrimental to the state’s future.
In the wake of the CNN report, Democrats have wasted no time in linking Robinson’s controversial past to Trump and other GOP candidates. Social media has been flooded with images of Robinson alongside Trump and Republican congressional candidates, with Democrats attempting to tie the party’s fate to Robinson’s actions. This strategy is part of a broader effort to damage GOP prospects in competitive down-ballot races, including contests for Congress and the North Carolina General Assembly. Democrats hope that Robinson’s struggles could lead to a loss of Republican control in swing districts, potentially weakening the GOP’s hold on the U.S. House and the state legislature.
Political experts predict that Robinson’s controversies could have a far-reaching impact on the election. Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, noted that while the immediate damage could be limited to Robinson’s gubernatorial race, the allegations might also have broader implications for other GOP candidates. “The fallout is going to be huge,” Cooper said. “The Democrats are counting on this having a big effect.” He suggested that if ticket-splitting trends continue, Republicans might be able to contain the damage to the governor’s race, but any significant losses could endanger their position in North Carolina.
Meanwhile, Democrats are already capitalizing on the opportunity. Kamala Harris’ campaign has launched a new ad tying Trump directly to Robinson, showcasing footage of Trump praising Robinson while juxtaposing it with Robinson’s controversial remarks. This is the first ad of the 2024 election cycle to explicitly link Trump to a down-ballot candidate, and it underscores the Democratic strategy of using Robinson’s candidacy to drive home the stakes of the upcoming election.
The Democratic National Committee is also running billboards in major North Carolina cities, featuring images of Trump and Robinson together alongside quotes from Trump’s speeches in support of the lieutenant governor. In addition, Jeff Jackson, the Democratic candidate for attorney general, has highlighted Robinson’s ties to other prominent Republicans in his fundraising efforts, further attempting to link their political futures to Robinson’s past.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the state’s Republican leadership has issued mixed responses. While the North Carolina GOP defended Robinson, pointing out his categorical denial of the allegations, some party leaders have expressed concerns. State GOP Chairman Jason Simmons described the allegations as “deeply troubling” and urged Robinson to provide further explanations. U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, who endorsed a rival candidate during the GOP primary, commented that Thursday had been a “tough day” but stressed the importance of focusing on winnable races. Tillis notably avoided mentioning the governor’s race in his statement, signaling the growing uncertainty around Robinson’s candidacy.
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, who leads the Republican campaign arm in the House, downplayed the impact of Robinson’s scandal on the state’s congressional races, though concerns remain about the broader implications for the GOP in North Carolina.
As the first Black lieutenant governor of North Carolina, Robinson has long been a polarizing figure in the state’s political landscape. Now, as he faces renewed scrutiny over his past online activities, the future of his political career—and its potential impact on the Republican Party—remains uncertain.
