Trump campaigns in North Carolina without key GOP ally Mark Robinson amid scandal
Mark Robinson scandal: Harris releases new ad
Republican North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson denied involvement in an alleged pornography scandal, vowing to remain in the race to become the state's next governor. One day after the bombshell report came out, the Harris campaign is using the allegations in an advertisement targeting Robinson and Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Politico reports that the posts on the pornography forum reportedly linked to Robinson have been removed.
Donald Trump made his return to North Carolina on Saturday, holding a rally in Wilmington, a key city along the state’s southern coast. However, his high-profile ally, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, was notably absent. Robinson, the GOP nominee for governor, is embroiled in a controversy following allegations of inappropriate and lewd posts made on a pornography website’s message board.
These accusations, which include racially charged comments, have shaken Robinson’s campaign. Despite his absence, Trump’s campaign moved forward with the event, emphasizing North Carolina's crucial role in the upcoming 2024 election.
What are the allegations against Mark Robinson?
Robinson, who is one of Trump’s most prominent supporters in North Carolina, has denied all allegations related to inappropriate online behavior. According to a CNN report, Robinson allegedly posted lewd and racist comments on a message board linked to a pornography website. The claims, which Robinson has called "salacious tabloid lies," have created a distraction in his gubernatorial campaign.
Robinson’s decision to skip the rally was reportedly influenced by these allegations, with Trump’s campaign stating that the former president remains focused on his path to victory in North Carolina without addressing the situation directly.
Mark Robinson's alleged 'activity on adult websites'
North Carolina Lt. Gov., and current Republican gubernatorial candidate, Mark Robinson denies bombshell allegations against him. Robinson is vowing to stay in the race despite a story about his "activity on adult websites." LiveNOW's Andrew Craft spoke about the Robinson news with Axios Raleigh reporter Lucille Sherman.
How has Trump responded to Robinson’s absence?
The Trump campaign has largely distanced itself from the controversy. In a statement that was not independently verified by the Associated Press, Trump’s team emphasized their commitment to securing North Carolina, which has been a critical battleground in past elections. The campaign refrained from mentioning Robinson, instead focusing on broader election strategy and the importance of rallying support in key swing states like North Carolina.
Trump has previously praised Robinson, calling him "Martin Luther King on steroids" and expressing support for his gubernatorial run. However, with Robinson trailing in polls against Democratic candidate Josh Stein, his campaign may be affected by these allegations.
What’s at stake in North Carolina for Trump?
North Carolina has become increasingly vital for both Republicans and Democrats. Trump won the state in both 2016 and 2020, but the margins were slim. This year, with no Senate seat up for grabs, the gubernatorial race has taken center stage.
If Robinson's campaign suffers due to these allegations, it could have a ripple effect on Trump’s efforts to secure North Carolina in the general election. The state’s 15 electoral votes are pivotal, and losing ground could impact the larger Republican strategy.
How are Democrats responding?
Democrats, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, have seized on the opportunity to connect Trump and Robinson in a negative light. Billboards showing Trump and Robinson together have popped up, along with ads from Harris’ campaign highlighting Robinson’s controversial positions, including his support for a statewide abortion ban with no exceptions.
Harris’ campaign sees North Carolina as a winnable state, and by drawing attention to Robinson’s scandal, Democrats hope to gain ground among moderate voters who may be put off by the GOP candidate’s troubles.