RALEIGH, USA – Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor of North Carolina, is facing intense scrutiny following a CNN investigation that uncovered a series of inflammatory and lewd comments on a pornography forum dating back to 2008-2012.
Robinson, who currently serves as North Carolina’s lieutenant governor, allegedly used a username on the site to make disturbing comments, including referring to himself as a “black NAZI!” and expressing support for the reinstatement of slavery.
The comments were made on a pornographic website’s message board called “Nude Africa,” under the username minisoldr, which CNN identified as Robinson by cross-referencing biographical details and an email address linked to Robinson.
Robinson has denied the allegations, stating in an interview with CNN that “this is not us. These are not our words.”
Sources: BlackPlanet, Disqus, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube | Graphic: CNN
The series of posts include explicit and often racist and homophobic remarks. In one instance, Robinson allegedly wrote, “Slavery is not bad. Some people need to be slaves. I wish they would bring it [slavery] back. I would certainly buy a few.”
He also reportedly expressed an affinity for transgender pornography, contradicting his current anti-transgender rhetoric.
Despite Robinson’s denial, the posts under the minisoldr username share significant details with his life, including specific references to his hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina, his military service, and his mother’s employment at a historically Black university.
CNN also linked the minisoldr handle to various other online activities by Robinson, further tying him to the comments in question.
Robinson, a socially conservative figure, has built his political career on a platform opposing abortion, transgender rights, and liberal values.
His public persona is at odds with the graphic nature of the messages attributed to him.
He has previously called for transgender women to be arrested for using women’s restrooms and advocated for strict anti-abortion measures.
Sources: AdultFriendFinder, Facebook, Nude Africa, X | Graphic: CNN
Campaign Response and Fallout
When confronted with the findings, Robinson’s campaign took two days to respond, categorically denying the claims and labelling the story as “tabloid trash.”
Robinson himself deflected attention toward his Democratic opponent, Josh Stein, during his interview with CNN.
“We are not getting out of this race. There are people who are counting on us to win this race,” he stated.
The controversy comes amid ongoing revelations about Robinson’s past.
Earlier this month, North Carolina digital publication The Assembly reported that Robinson frequented local pornography shops in Greensboro during the 1990s and 2000s.
Robinson denied those allegations as well.
Robinson’s campaign for governor has been marked by a string of contentious remarks, including past statements disparaging civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., mocking survivors of school shootings, and advocating for a complete abortion ban without exceptions.
Despite these controversies, Robinson has secured the endorsement of former President Donald Trump and the North Carolina Republican Party.
However, recent polling suggests that his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Josh Stein, holds a lead in the race.
Sources: Facebook, Nude Africa | Graphic: CNN
Allegations Raise Questions About Public Image
The revelations are particularly damaging given Robinson’s history of outspoken social conservatism.
In his public speeches, Robinson has frequently criticized the LGBTQ+ community and abortion rights activists, positioning himself as a defender of traditional values.
However, the comments attributed to Robinson on the pornography website paint a very different picture.
In addition to his controversial racial and political remarks, Robinson allegedly wrote about his sexual attraction to transgender individuals, stating, “I like watching tranny on girl porn! That’s f*cking hot!”
The contrast between Robinson’s public and private personas is stark.
During a campaign rally in February 2024, Robinson had condemned transgender individuals, saying, “We’re going to protect our women,” and warning against allowing transgender women to use female bathrooms.
Political Impact
Robinson’s political future is now uncertain.
If his incendiary remarks on the message board are verified, they could alienate significant portions of the electorate, particularly moderate voters who may have previously supported his candidacy based on his stances on issues like education and economic development.
The North Carolina gubernatorial election is expected to be highly competitive, and Robinson’s continued defense against these allegations will likely shape the trajectory of the race in the coming weeks.
