Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor in North Carolina, found himself in the center of a scandal that he allegedly made dozens of lewd and inflammatory comments on a pornography site over 10 years ago.
The report, published by CNN, said Robinson allegedly made several posts to a pornographic website called Nude Africa, called himself a “black NAZI,” expressed support for bringing back slavery, and recounted sexually graphic stories.
In a video posted to X ahead of the story’s publication, Robinson denied the report, calling it “tabloid trash.”
“Let me reassure you: The things that 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,” Robinson said in the video.
Robinson then vowed to stay in the race.
“We are staying in this race, we are in it to win it, and we know that, with your help, we will,” he added.
The news was not welcomed by Republicans, who are hoping to keep the critical battleground state race close after Robinson was endorsed by Donald Trump.
Robinson spokesperson Michael Lonergan said what “the Democrats say about Mark Robinson is either an outright lie or twisted so far out of context it might as well be.”
Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that the former president “is focused on winning the White House and saving this country.”
However, the statement did not mention Robinson or Trump’s backing of the North Carolina Lt. Governor.
CNN said it was able “to identify as Robinson by matching a litany of biographical details and a shared email address between the two,” according to the report.
Josh Stein, the state’s current attorney general, released a statement on the matter.
“North Carolinians already know Mark Robinson is completely unfit to be Governor,” Stein said. “Josh remains focused on winning this campaign so that together we can build a safer, stronger North Carolina for everyone.”
