NC gov. candidate Mark Robinson declared himself "Black Nazi" on porn site: CNN
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Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, North Carolina's Republican nominee for governor, made numerous inflammatory comments on a porn website's message board a decade ago, including that he was a "Black Nazi," CNN reported Thursday. Robinson denies making those comments.
Why it matters: The story adds to mounting troubles for Robinson, who's seen his poll numbers plummet in recent months as other past incendiary comments he's made have come to light.
- Meanwhile, Republicans fear Robinson's struggles could damage former President Trump and other conservatives down the ballot in a critical swing state.
Between the lines: Anticipation of the story's release built in North Carolina political circles all week, and rumors of what it would include have had a chokehold on the state's Republicans and Democrats alike.
Driving the news: Robinson referred to himself as a "black NAZI!" and a "perv" on message boards. He also expressed support for reinstating slavery and said he enjoyed watching transgender pornography, CNN reports.
The latest: Ahead of the story's publication, Robinson posted a video denying the allegations, saying they were not his words.
- "You know my words, you know my character, and you know that I have been completely transparent in this race," Robinson said.
- "Clarence Thomas famously once said he was the victim of high tech lynching. Well, it looks like Mark Robinson is too."
The big picture: The latest allegations add to a long list of comments Robinson has made that contradict his own actions or words.
- He's said abortion is "murder" and "genocide," yet he and his wife chose abortion 35 years ago.
- In recent years, he's pushed to get so-called "porn" out of schools. However, decades ago, video porn shop employees say he was a regular at Greensboro, N.C. stores, North Carolina digital magazine The Assembly recently reported.
- He's made dozens of other degrading comments that have trickled out in the years since his political ascent, including about Jews (he called the Holocaust "hogwash"), the LGBTQ+ community (he called homosexuality and "transgenderism" "filth") and violence (he recently said "some folks need killing.")
- Politico also reported Thursday that an email address belonging to Robinson was registered with Ashley Madison, a website for married people seeking affairs.
Zoom in: CNN said that it verified that Robinson made the newly unearthed comments under the username "minisoldr" through both his comments and profile, which offered details that aligned with his personal background, including his name, age, location and marriage details.
- The minisoldr name is also one Robinson used on other websites, such as YouTube, Amazon and Pinterest.
- Furthermore, Robinson publicly used uncommon phrases minisoldr did, including "gag a maggot" and "I don't give a frogs ass," per CNN.
- Robinson alleged a sophisticated campaign to discredit him, blaming his opponent, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, who he said "leaked" the story. Robinson said he will remain in the race.
Flashback: Robinson began his improbable and controversial political ascent back in 2018. Then a factory worker, Robinson went viral in a video of a testimony he gave about gun rights to Greensboro City Council. He launched his campaign for lieutenant governor a year later.
- During his campaign for governor, Robinson has championed gun rights as well as conservative education issues, including school vouchers, and criticized critical race theory. He'd be the state's first Black governor if elected.
- This spring, Donald Trump endorsed Robinson, calling him "Martin Luther King on steroids."
What they're saying: "President Trump's campaign is focused on winning the White House and saving this country. North Carolina is a vital part of that plan," Trump Campaign National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to Axios.
- "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. We will not take our eye off the ball."
- The state's Republican Party also said Thursday that they're standing by Robinson.
- "Mark Robinson has categorically denied the allegations made by CNN but that won't stop the Left from trying to demonize him via personal attacks," the party said in a statement.
Zoom out: Robinson's vocalized support for strict abortion restrictions.
- "It's about killing the child because you weren't responsible enough to keep your skirt down," Robinson said in a video that aired this summer.
- That comment, political observers tell Axios, has turned off voters more than his other past remarks.
- CNN reports that minisoldr commented on the porn site that he did not care if a celebrity had an abortion as long as he could watch the sex tape.
Editor's note: This breaking story has been updated with more details.