Controversial NC GOP Candidate Drops IL Fundraiser After Vile Posts Surface, All But 3 Staffers Quit

Mark Robinson faces GOP backlash, staff resignations, public disgust due to controversy over posts on porn site "Nude Africa”

Embattled NC GOP candidate for governor, Mark Robinson, drops Illinois fundraiser after posts on porn site surfacePhoto byScreen Capture/Youtube Video [Creator]

North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, a Republican candidate for the state’s gubernatorial race, has canceled a scheduled fundraiser in Kenilworth, Illinois, following the release of disturbing posts linked to him on a pornographic website. The event, initially planned for September 29, was organized by local Illinois GOP officials to support Robinson’s campaign and other Republican candidates. However, the fallout from a recent CNN investigation revealing a series of offensive online comments has prompted the cancellation, leaving Robinson’s campaign facing significant challenges.

Robinson, whose controversial remarks had already attracted scrutiny, came under increased pressure after CNN reported on offensive posts he allegedly made on a website called “Nude Africa.” The posts, which date back more than a decade, included racially charged statements and support for reinstating slavery. In addition to these inflammatory comments, Robinson allegedly referred to himself as a “Black Nazi” and made derogatory comments about Holocaust survivors.

The controversy surrounding Robinson escalated after CNN published an investigation that uncovered offensive posts on the pornographic website linked to Robinson. The comments were made under a user name and email address associated with him.

In addition to the comments praising Nazi figures and inflammatory remarks about race and slavery other shocking comments allegedly made by Robinson came to light. The GOP North Carolina gubnatorial candidate allegedly discussed his love of pornography involving transgender Americans, despite his public position of being opposed to transgender rights and same-sex marriage.

Other comments allegedly made by Robinson included discussions about his own sexual tendencies and claims that he is involved in a sexual relationship with his wife’s sister. Additionally, comments attributed to Robinson described how he spied on girls and women changing clothes in a locker room without their knowledge.

The CNN report also highlighted additional offensive comments that mirrored some of Robinson’s public statements on social media. According to the report, Robinson allegedly posted the belief that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a "communist and worse than a maggot.”

North Carolina’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Josh Stein, seized on the revelations during an appearance on CNN’s "State of the Union." Stein stated, “Mark Robinson is absolutely unfit to be the governor of North Carolina,” adding that the CNN report only confirmed Robinson’s long-standing extremist views.

Robinson denied writing the posts, posting a video message in which he called the allegations false. However, the damage to his campaign has been significant, with staff members leaving his team en masse.

Despite the backlash, Robinson had initially planned to proceed with the Kenilworth, IL fundraiser. However, the event was removed from the Tenth Congressional District Republican Organization’s website over the weekend. An updated message on the group’s site hinted at a replacement speaker for the event, referring to “a great Trump ally” without naming specifics.

The Illinois GOP has also faced backlash over the event. Lake County Republican Party Chair Keith Brin criticized Robinson’s invitation, stating that he should not have been invited to the fundraiser. Brin clarified that most local Republican officials in Illinois were not involved in organizing the event and expressed relief that the fundraiser had been canceled.

Mark Shaw, an Illinois Republican Party state central committeeman and organizer of the event, along with fellow co-host Julie Cho, did not respond to inquiries regarding the cancellation or Robinson’s role in the event. The decision to cancel comes at a critical juncture for Robinson, as calls for him to address the allegations have grown.

Robinson’s candidacy for North Carolina’s governor position has gained attention due to his endorsement by former President Donald Trump, a key figure in the Republican Party. Trump’s backing helped elevate Robinson’s profile within the GOP, but the recent revelations have created concerns among party members, with some distancing themselves from his campaign.

Trump, who was in North Carolina for a rally on Saturday, notably did not invite Robinson to join him at the event. However, Trump has not officially withdrawn his endorsement. But the omission of any mention of Robinson during the rally further fueled speculation about the candidate’s standing within the party. However, the GOP candidate is still supported by Trump's base in North Carolina. North Carolina is one of the battleground states that will likely decide the election.

In the wake of the report, Robinson’s campaign has been rocked by internal turmoil. Over the weekend, multiple senior staff members resigned, leaving the campaign with just a handful of paid employees. While Robinson’s campaign initially downplayed the resignations, sources within the campaign have indicated that the exodus was deeper than publicly acknowledged. However, Robinson claims he can continue even without his staff.

WUNC, a North Carolina-based public radio station, reported that as of Sunday evening, only three paid staffers remained on Robinson’s campaign team. The departures come as Robinson faces mounting pressure from both Republicans and Democrats to address the allegations in a credible manner.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, weighed in on the controversy during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Graham emphasized that Robinson needed to defend himself, stating, “He has an obligation to defend himself. This is hanging over his campaign.” Graham added that the controversy was unlikely to affect Trump but could severely damage Robinson’s political prospects if he did not provide a convincing explanation.

Robinson’s candidacy was already facing challenges before the CNN investigation. Polls show him trailing Democratic candidate Josh Stein by single-digit margins, with the controversy threatening to widen the gap. North Carolina, a key battleground state in both the gubernatorial and presidential elections, is expected to see intense competition in the coming months. The state has been a focus for Trump, who narrowly won there in 2020.

Robinson’s association with Trump, which had initially bolstered his campaign, may now be a liability. GOP operatives in North Carolina have expressed concerns about the impact the controversy could have on Trump’s own chances in the state. Doug Heye, a Republican strategist, commented on the situation, stating that Robinson’s candidacy had long been in trouble and that the latest revelations were merely the final blow.

Despite the mounting challenges, Robinson has indicated that he has no plans to drop out of the race. In a statement, he accused Democrats of manufacturing the allegations to undermine his campaign. However, his ability to recover from the controversy remains uncertain, particularly given the widespread nature of the allegations.

Republican insiders have expressed concerns about Robinson’s viability as a candidate, with many viewing his campaign as a lost cause. The extent of the allegations, including claims about Robinson’s personal conduct, has made it difficult for many in the GOP to defend him publicly.