Donald Trump’s return to North Carolina on Saturday for a campaign rally in Wilmington, a crucial battleground state in the upcoming November election, was marked by a notable absence: Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the GOP gubernatorial nominee and one of Trump’s strongest supporters in the state. This absence is directly linked to a recent CNN report detailing Robinson’s inflammatory remarks about race, gender, and sexual orientation, which have left the Republican party scrambling to manage the fallout.
The CNN report revealed that Robinson, in posts on a pornography website’s message board, self-identified as a “Black Nazi” and expressed a desire for the return of slavery. These disturbing comments have prompted Democrats to highlight Robinson’s connections to other candidates, including Trump, who has previously lauded the North Carolina lieutenant governor.
Robinson was not scheduled to attend the Wilmington event, according to two individuals with knowledge of the situation, who requested anonymity. Despite securing victory in the GOP gubernatorial primary back in March, Robinson has fallen behind Democratic nominee Josh Stein, the state attorney general, in several recent polls.
While state Republican leaders continue to support Robinson, his decision to press forward with his campaign could significantly harm the GOP’s prospects in other crucial races, including Trump’s efforts in a battleground state he has won twice before. Trump, known for his admiration for Robinson, a Black politician, has previously described him as a figure reminiscent of Martin Luther King, but with greater intensity. In his endorsement of Robinson ahead of the GOP gubernatorial primary, Trump went as far as to claim that Robinson surpasses King in significance.
Despite the turmoil surrounding Robinson, the significance of North Carolina in the upcoming election cannot be overstated. While presidential candidates have focused heavily on Rust Belt states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, both Trump and Kamala Harris have made numerous visits to North Carolina, highlighting its strategic importance. Following Biden’s withdrawal from the race in July, Trump held his first major rally in North Carolina, shifting his focus entirely towards Harris.
