Sep 23, 2024 - Business

Mark Robinson says he's coming after CNN "full throttle"

Avery Lotz

North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson wipes his brow as he speaks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference. — North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson wipes his brow as he speaks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton on June 21 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson threatened legal action against CNN Monday, characterizing the explosive report that cast his gubernatorial campaign into controversy as "salacious false lies."

Why it matters: The CNN report that unveiled a series of inflammatory and lewd comments Robinson reportedly made on a porn messaging forum — including calling himself a ""black NAZI" — preceded an avalanche of staff resignations and prompted headaches for the Trump campaign in a critical swing state.

Robinson has denied the reports.

Driving the news: "They don't want to talk about what's going on right now," Robinson said to a group in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. "They want to talk about what possibly happened 15 years ago."

He told reporters and supporters at a campaign stop he has "full confidence" his campaign for North Carolina governor can go on despite the exodus of aides and widespread backlash, saying the timing of the departures "doesn't matter."
Robinson said he's "in talks right now" on "everything up to legal counsel to take CNN to task for what they have done to us," adding, "We are not going to let CNN throw us off our mission."
He said to cheers from his supporters, "You better understand, I am coming after CNN full throttle."
CNN didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

Catch up quick: Robinson's alleged online rhetoric — which included support for slavery, boasts about "peeping" on women showering and other extremely graphic content — was the latest in a string of controversies that has polluted the North Carolina gubernatorial race.

Robinson, whom former President Trump once called "Martin Luther King on steroids," has made dozens of disparaging comments about Jews, the LGBTQ+ community and others.

State of play: Former President Trump's campaign is increasing its travel to the state, where Vice President Kamala Harris has picked up momentum — and where Robinson's poll numbers are sagging.

Speaking in North Carolina Saturday, Trump did not mention the man he previously endorsed or the reports about him.

Go deeper: North Carolina's descent into never-ending scandal

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Mark Robinson says he's coming after CNN "full throttle"

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