 "Mark Robinson: The Republican who described himself as a 'Black Nazi', said he enjoys transgender porn")
Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for Governor of North Carolina, has become one of the most controversial figures in United States politics. His rise from relative obscurity to becoming a frontrunner in a key gubernatorial race has been marked by inflammatory rhetoric and allegations that have shocked even members of his own party.
A CNN investigation recently unearthed comments made by Robinson on a pornography message board, which included racist and lewd statements. This has prompted backlash from fellow Republicans and concerns that his candidacy could influence the 2024 US presidential election.
Who is Mark Robinson?
Mark Robinson, born in North Carolina, initially worked in a furniture factory before his political career began. In 2018, he gained attention after delivering a passionate defence of gun rights during a Greensboro City Council meeting.
His speech went viral, catapulting him into the spotlight and making him a champion of conservative values, especially concerning the Second Amendment.
“I’m going to come down here to this city council and raise hell just like these loonies from the left do until you listen to the majority of the people in this city,” Robinson said at the meeting, defending a local gun show that was being threatened with cancellation.
Robinson’s newfound fame led to various public speaking engagements, including at the National Rifle Association, and in 2020, he successfully ran for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.
He quickly became known for his outspoken views on social issues, positioning himself as a staunch conservative in a state that has historically oscillated between moderate Democrats and right-leaning Republicans.
What is the scandal around Robinson?
Robinson’s political career has been fraught with incendiary comments that have both attracted supporters and alienated many. In a 2019 Facebook post, he admitted to paying for his girlfriend’s abortion in the 1980s but denounced abortion, saying, “Abortion in America is about killing the child because you weren’t responsible enough to keep your skirt down.”
His rhetoric on LGBTQ+ issues has been particularly controversial. In a 2021 speech at a church, Robinson referred to homosexuality and transgenderism as “filth.” These remarks sparked outrage but also solidified his position among certain segments of the Republican base.
The controversy surrounding Robinson deepened in 2023 when CNN reported that he had made a series of shocking comments on a pornography website message board over a decade ago.
Among other things, Robinson reportedly referred to himself as a “Black Nazi,” expressed support for slavery, and admitted to enjoying transgender pornography. The posts were linked to Robinson through his email and distinctive writing style, raising alarm within the GOP.
He also allegedly called civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, “worse than a maggot.”
How have Republicans reacted?
The CNN report has caused significant turmoil within Robinson’s campaign and the broader Republican Party.
Robinson has consistently denied the allegations, saying in a preemptive video, “Let me reassure you the things that you will see in that story — those are not the words of Mark Robinson.” However, his denials have done little to quell the growing concerns within his own party.
Prominent Republicans in North Carolina and beyond have begun distancing themselves from Robinson. US Senator Thom Tillis remarked, “I believe that Mr. Robinson needs to make a call fairly quickly, defend his name or — in the absence of a defence, then we’ve got to move on.” He has suggested that Robinson should step down if he cannot adequately refute the allegations.
Ted Budd, another Republican senator from North Carolina, called the CNN report “very disturbing” but stated he would still vote for Robinson, showing the divided stance among Republicans.
At least ten Republican candidates and conservative organisations have removed any association with Robinson from their campaign materials.
US House candidate Laurie Buckhout deleted multiple photos of herself with Robinson from her social media accounts. GOP candidates for other state offices, including Dave Boliek and Lisa Stone Barnes, followed suit by scrubbing mentions of Robinson from their campaigns.
Will this scandal impact the 2024 US presidential election?
Robinson’s scandal has not only jeopardised his gubernatorial race but has also affected the national political landscape, particularly in North Carolina. The state’s significance as a battleground in the 2024 presidential election has amplified the stakes of Robinson’s controversy.
Donald Trump, who previously endorsed Robinson and held multiple fundraisers for him, appears to be distancing himself from the embattled candidate.
During a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, shortly after the CNN report broke, Trump avoided mentioning Robinson by name, a stark contrast to earlier statements in which he praised Robinson as “Martin Luther King on steroids.”
Trump had previously said of Robinson, “I think you’re better than Martin Luther King. I think you are Martin Luther King times two.”
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris’s campaign has seized the opportunity to link Trump and Robinson, running ads featuring Trump’s past endorsements of the gubernatorial candidate.
Billboards and digital ads highlighting Trump’s support of Robinson have already appeared across North Carolina, signalling that Democrats hope to use Robinson’s controversy to sway voters in the US presidential race.
Will Robinson drop out of the North Carolina governor’s race?
Despite the growing backlash, Robinson has refused to drop out of the race. His campaign manager, Chris Rodriguez, along with other key staff members, resigned following the CNN report, leaving the campaign in disarray. In response, Robinson stated, “We are staying in this race. We are in it to win it.”
Several prominent conservative organisations, including the National Rifle Association, have also pulled their support, halting ads in favour of Robinson and cancelling planned fundraising events.
As voting has already begun, with ballots mailed to overseas voters, it remains unclear how Robinson’s campaign can recover from this scandal.
With polls already showing Robinson trailing behind Democratic candidate Josh Stein before the CNN report, many political analysts now predict a Democratic victory in the gubernatorial race. The political site Elections Daily recently shifted its forecast for the North Carolina governor’s race from “leans Democratic” to “safe Democratic.”
Mark Robinson’s candidacy has become a litmus test for the Republican Party’s future in North Carolina.
With inputs from agencies
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