Following the day’s speculation that he might withdraw from the gubernatorial campaign in response to an explosive CNN report, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R) reportedly announced on Thursday that he will remain in the race.
Robinson claimed in a video posted to the social platform X shortly before the article’s publication that the Democratic nominee Josh Stein’s campaign revealed the story to CNN.
Robinson also maintained that the narrative’s specifics weren’t true.
“Let me assure you, the things you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson. You know my words. You know my character, and you know that I have been completely transparent in this race and before.” he said.
“We are staying in this race. We are in it to win it,” he added.
Robinson reportedly made a wide range of inflammatory comments on a pornography website’s message board over 10 years ago, including calling himself a “black NAZI” and wishing for the reinstatement of slavery.
CNN’s story, which was published approximately 30 minutes after Robinson’s video, cast light on these allegations.
The outlet reported that Robinson made these comments on a website called “Nude Africa” between 2008 and 2012, prior to the commencement of his political career.
CNN allegedly identified the account as belonging to Robinson by examining the full name listed on the account, the username used by Robinson on other websites, an email address that Robinson has used in the past, and biographical details that are consistent with his background. The posts were made by an account with the username “minisoldr.”
In addition to his public denial, Robinson participated in an interview with CNN during which he stated that the remarks he is accused of having made are “not indicative of my character.”
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