North Carolina: Trump's emerging Achilles’ heel

What we're watching: The Trump campaign distanced itself Thursday from Robinson, as CNN reported that Robinson referred to himself as a "black NAZI!" and a "perv" online and expressed support for reinstating slavery.

• "This is an issue that has to do with Robinson's campaign and not President Trump's campaign," a Trump campaign official told Axios Thursday night.
• But it was clear that Trump — who once praised Robinson as "Martin Luther King on steroids" — was no longer in Robinson's corner as the clock ticked toward an 11:59 p.m. Thursday deadline for Robinson to exit the governor's race.
• Robinson, meanwhile, released a video denying the allegations in CNN's report and vowing to stay in the race.
• The deadline came and went with no movement from Robinson.

The big picture: Team Trump's concerns began earlier than this week and were more deeply rooted: The latest revelations were just the last straw.

• Michael Whatley, chairman of the Republican National Committee, has previously acknowledged that polls showed Robinson running behind Trump in North Carolina — a sign that Robinson might undermine votes for Trump.
• "I understand the concern that's been raised ... because you do have a spread between Donald Trump and Mark Robinson," Whatley told Axios.
• "Trump is being weighed down by a very unpopular Republican candidate for governor," Mick Mulvaney, Trump's former chief of staff, said in an Aug. 17 interview with NewsNation.

Zoom out: The Trump campaign has tried to avoid the weak candidates that plagued the Republican Party in 2022.

• That year, 34 of Trump's preferred candidates lost their races, according to an analysis from the NBC News' political unit.
• Trump-backed candidates saw an even split in governor's races, with 10 wins and 10 losses, according to NBC.

The intrigue: Whatley, former chair of North Carolina's GOP, congratulated Robinson for winning his March primary, but did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

• Robinson on Wednesday sparked speculation when he was a no-show at an event with Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance.

Reality check: Trump has — until now — lavished praise on Robinson, even hosting him at an event at Mar-a-Lago where he mused that Robinson could one day be president.

• "I think someday — hopefully I'm going to be around to see — someday we're going to see that man at the highest position," Trump said of Robinson. "I got to know him so well and fairly quickly...I hope you can back him and write checks for him."
• Trump is headlining a rally in Wilmington, NC, on Saturday but Robinson is not expected to attend, Axios has learned.

The other side: The Trump campaign, in a statement to Axios, said it's focused on winning the White House and that North Carolina is "a vital part of that plan."

• "We are confident that as voters compare the Trump record of a strong economy, low inflation, a secure border, and safe streets, with the failures of Biden-Harris, then President Trump will win the Tarheel State once again."
• The campaign made no mention of Robinson.

By the numbers: Vice President Harris' ability to mobilize the Democratic base has already forced Trump to spend heavily in a state where he didn't feel the need to use as many resources while running against President Biden.

• Trump's campaign and MAGA Inc., a supporting super PAC, have spent nearly $40 million on advertising in the state.

What's next: Robinson is slated to face Attorney General Josh Stein (D) in the general election to replaceDemocratic Gov. Roy Cooper.