Trump rally/ Mark Robinson/ North Carolina election/ GOP gubernatorial race/ Josh Stein/ Newslooks/ WILMINGTON/ N.C./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump is returning to North Carolina to campaign in the critical battleground state, but his top in-state supporter, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, will be absent following a CNN report alleging inappropriate online activity. Robinson, who is running for governor, denies the claims. Trump’s campaign has not addressed the controversy directly, focusing instead on winning North Carolina and the White House in the upcoming election.
Trump Campaigns in North Carolina Without Key Ally Robinson Quick Looks:
- Donald Trump is campaigning in North Carolina without Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, his top supporter in the state.
- Robinson, facing allegations over inappropriate online posts, denies the claims and refuses to drop out of the gubernatorial race.
- The controversy surrounding Robinson could affect key Republican races in the battleground state, including Trump’s campaign.
- Democrats have highlighted the ties between Trump and Robinson, emphasizing Robinson’s controversial positions.
- North Carolina is seen as a critical state for both parties in the 2024 election.
Trump Campaigns in N. Carolina Without Embattled GOP Ally Mark Robinson
Deep Look:
Donald Trump is set to return to the battleground state of North Carolina on Saturday, stumping in Wilmington without the presence of one of his key allies in the state, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Robinson, the GOP’s nominee for governor, is embroiled in a controversy following a CNN report that alleges he made offensive posts on a pornography website’s message board. Despite the allegations, Robinson denies any wrongdoing and has vowed to stay in the race.
Robinson Denies Allegations
Robinson has rejected the claims, calling them “salacious tabloid lies” and stating that he won’t be forced out of the gubernatorial race. The CNN report alleges that Robinson made lewd and racist comments on an online forum, accusations that Robinson vehemently denies. He has faced pressure following the report, but so far, he has not shown any signs of stepping down from his candidacy.
Despite Robinson’s firm stance, Trump’s campaign appears to be distancing itself from the embattled lieutenant governor. While Trump previously praised Robinson as one of his top surrogates in North Carolina, his campaign has been notably silent on Robinson’s situation. In a statement, the campaign focused on winning North Carolina, calling the state “a vital part” of Trump’s strategy but made no mention of Robinson. Two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Robinson was not scheduled to attend Trump’s event in Wilmington.
Impact on North Carolina Gubernatorial Race
The controversy could have significant implications for Robinson’s gubernatorial bid. While Robinson easily won the GOP primary in March, he has been trailing behind Democratic nominee Josh Stein in recent polls. Stein, the state’s attorney general, has gained ground as Democrats highlight Robinson’s association with Trump and his hardline stance on issues like abortion.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign seized on the opportunity, running an ad that ties Trump to Robinson, specifically pointing out Robinson’s support for a statewide abortion ban with no exceptions. This is the first time Harris’ campaign has released an ad focused on Trump’s ties to a down-ballot candidate.
North Carolina’s Critical Role in 2024
North Carolina has emerged as a key battleground in the 2024 election, with both Democrats and Republicans seeing it as crucial to securing victory in November. Although Trump won the state in 2016 and 2020, his margins of victory were slim, particularly in 2020 when he beat Joe Biden by less than 1.5 percentage points.
Democrats are optimistic about flipping the state, which has consistently voted Republican in every general election since 1976, except for Barack Obama’s win in 2008. The state’s gubernatorial race is also seen as one of the marquee contests in the 2024 cycle, with both national parties investing heavily in their candidates.
While Trump has focused much of his campaign on key Rust Belt states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, North Carolina is increasingly viewed as a must-win state for both parties. Trump held his first major rally after Biden’s withdrawal in the state and has emphasized its importance in the general election.
Controversy Casts Shadow Over Trump-Robinson Alliance
Robinson has been a loyal supporter of Trump, frequently campaigning with the former president in North Carolina. Just last month, Robinson appeared alongside Trump at a rally in Asheboro, where Trump lavished praise on the lieutenant governor, calling him “Martin Luther King on steroids” and stating, “I think you’re better than Martin Luther King.”
However, the recent controversy could complicate Trump’s strategy in the state. As Democrats continue to highlight Robinson’s past comments and association with Trump, Republicans risk alienating moderate voters who could be critical in a tight race.
Wilmington, where Trump will hold his rally, is located in New Hanover County, a region that Biden won by a narrow margin in 2020. Trump’s return to the state underscores the importance of maintaining Republican support in such competitive regions, even as the fallout from Robinson’s controversy continues to loom over his campaign.
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