Former President Donald Trump is facing mounting pressure from both allies and campaign insiders to withdraw his endorsement of North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson following reports of offensive comments Robinson allegedly made on a pornographic website. Despite these calls, Trump currently has no plans to rescind his support.
A recent CNN report revealed that Mark Robinson, North Carolina’s lieutenant governor, had posted a series of controversial statements on a pornography message board between 2008 and 2012. The alleged comments included references to himself as a “black NAZI!” and statements about watching “tranny” pornography. These claims have sparked outrage among Donald Trump’s campaign team, some of whom are pushing for a public repudiation of Robinson.
However, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed reports that Trump might break with Robinson, stating, “President Trump’s campaign is focused on winning the White House and saving the country.” Leavitt emphasized that North Carolina remains a critical state for Trump’s 2024 presidential bid, making a formal break with Robinson unlikely.
Donald Trump has a history of standing by embattled candidates. In 2017, he endorsed Roy Moore for Alabama Senate despite accusations of sexual misconduct, and in 2022, he supported Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker after reports surfaced that Walker had paid for a woman’s abortion.
Mark Robinson, who denies the allegations, released a video statement comparing his situation to Clarence Thomas, claiming he is the victim of a “high-tech lynching.” The timing of the scandal, which broke on the last day a candidate could withdraw from the race, ensures Robinson will remain the Republican nominee for governor. His past controversial remarks, including opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion, had already made him a polarizing figure.
While Donald Trump is reluctant to publicly revoke endorsements, this scandal could further complicate his efforts to secure North Carolina. In this vital swing state, polling has him in a close race with Vice President Kamala Harris.
