CNN’s explosive revelations about North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s past online activities have sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape. Robinson, a rising star within the GOP and former President Donald Trump’s chosen nominee for governor, is now facing intense scrutiny following disturbing claims about his online behavior.
Robinson’s Online Persona Unmasked
In a report released on Thursday, CNN linked Robinson to a series of graphic and inflammatory comments made under the username “minisoldr” on the pornographic forum, Nude Africa. These posts, which date back more than a decade, include self-identification as a “black NAZI,” support for reinstating slavery, and an unsettling fascination with transgender pornography. The revelations stand in stark contrast to Robinson’s public persona, particularly his past rhetoric targeting the LGBTQ+ community.
The lieutenant governor, who has drawn national attention for his vehement opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, including his infamous 2021 comment that LGBTQ+ discussions in schools were “filth,” is now facing the kind of personal scandal that many find hypocritical. The CNN report, which matched Robinson to the online account through a shared email address and other biographical details, describes the disturbing breadth of the content, including admiration for Adolf Hitler and vulgar comments about transgender people.
Robinson, who has long denounced transgender individuals and fought against their inclusion in public spaces, expressed an affinity for transgender pornography in one of the posts. “I like watching t***ny on girl porn! That’s fucking hot!” Robinson reportedly wrote. Such comments directly conflict with his public condemnation of LGBTQ+ individuals, exposing a deep hypocrisy in his political stance.
Aisha Mills Delivers a Stinging Rebuke
Reacting to the report on CNN’s OutFront, Democratic strategist Aisha Mills did not hold back. “I think this is hilarious because there’s a long history of hypocritical Republicans getting caught up in some messy sex scandal,” Mills said. Her remarks were layered with schadenfreude, a term that captures the sense of satisfaction one feels at the misfortune of others. Mills highlighted the recurring theme of politicians who champion anti-LGBTQ+ policies while privately engaging in behaviors that starkly contradict their public positions.
“This witch hunt against LGBTQ people has been led by a bunch of homophobes who themselves were in the closet,” Mills continued. “These folks who are getting caught in transgender relationships, people who are soliciting sex from sex workers. All kinds of crazy stuff has gone down, and so I’m not surprised by the hypocrisy here that we’re seeing on display.”
Mills’ response reflects the growing resentment and sense of vindication among LGBTQ+ advocates, who have long been the target of conservative figures like Robinson. His scandal comes at a time when the fight for transgender rights is reaching new levels of visibility, and for many, his downfall feels emblematic of a larger reckoning for politicians who weaponize anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric for political gain.
Robinson Denies Allegations, But Pressure Mounts
Robinson has categorically denied any connection to the posts. In a video statement, he referred to the CNN report as “salacious tabloid trash” and insisted that the words attributed to him do not reflect his character. “You know my words, you know my character,” Robinson said in an attempt to distance himself from the growing controversy. However, despite his denials, the damage to his campaign may already be irreversible.
Calls for Robinson to withdraw from the governor’s race have come from both sides of the political aisle. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, Robinson’s Democratic opponent in the gubernatorial race, released a statement saying, “North Carolinians already know Mark Robinson is completely unfit to be governor.” Stein reiterated his focus on building a “safer, stronger North Carolina for everyone.”
Republicans, too, are growing concerned about the long-term implications of the scandal. Scott Lassiter, a Republican nominee for the North Carolina Senate, publicly urged Robinson to step down from the race “to allow a quality candidate to finish this race.” Meanwhile, Politico reported that an email address belonging to Robinson had been found on Ashley Madison, a website known for facilitating extramarital affairs. The sheer volume of allegations surrounding Robinson has created an undeniable cloud of suspicion that could impact his candidacy and the broader Republican ticket in North Carolina.
A History of Controversial Comments
This latest scandal is far from Robinson’s first foray into controversy. His political career has been characterized by inflammatory and frequently derogatory statements, particularly about LGBTQ+ people. Just last year, Robinson made headlines for a sermon in which he criticized churches that openly welcome LGBTQ+ members, calling the display of rainbow flags “a direct spit in the face to God Almighty.”
In another instance, Robinson delivered a fiery speech at Asbury Baptist Church in Randolph County, North Carolina, where he described discussions of homosexuality and transgender identity as “filth.” These comments drew sharp criticism from human rights organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, as well as from the Biden administration. Robinson’s pattern of inflammatory rhetoric, combined with his unwillingness to engage in constructive dialogue on social issues, has led to widespread condemnation, and the latest revelations about his private behavior have only added to the outcry.
Republicans Grapple with the Fallout
Robinson’s personal scandal couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Republican Party, which is gearing up for a crucial 2024 election. North Carolina, a pivotal battleground state, is seen as essential to the GOP’s chances of reclaiming the White House. However, with Robinson embroiled in controversy, the party now faces the challenge of defending a candidate whose credibility has been severely damaged.
Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory criticized Robinson’s campaign, stating that he was “not vetted properly.” McCrory suggested that the GOP should have anticipated Robinson’s skeletons coming to light, especially as opposition research in gubernatorial races is typically exhaustive.
“When you get to the governor level, you know the other side is going to do some serious vetting,” McCrory said in an interview. His words echoed the sentiments of many within the GOP who are now questioning whether Robinson should remain in the race.
Despite growing pressure, Robinson has remained defiant. “We are staying in this race. We are in it to win it,” he declared in his video statement, adding that he would not allow the “salacious” media reports to derail his campaign.
The Impact on Transgender Voters
For many within the transgender community, Robinson’s scandal is a painful reminder of the hypocrisy that often underpins anti-LGBTQ+ political rhetoric. Robinson’s previous statements have painted transgender individuals as deviants, unworthy of respect or inclusion in public life. Yet, his private actions, as revealed in the CNN report, suggest a different reality—one in which he has sought out the very community he vilifies.
Transgender advocates have long argued that the attacks on their rights are not only harmful but deeply personal. Robinson’s scandal highlights the dissonance between public policy and personal behavior, reinforcing the notion that the war on transgender rights is less about morality and more about political expediency.
Organizations like Equality North Carolina have spoken out in the wake of the CNN report, calling for Robinson to be held accountable not only for his alleged online behavior but also for the harm his policies have inflicted on transgender individuals. “His hypocrisy knows no bounds,” said a spokesperson for the organization. “We hope voters will see through the lies and recognize that Robinson does not represent the values of inclusion and equality that North Carolinians deserve.”
The Bottom Line
As the controversy surrounding Robinson continues to unfold, political analysts are divided on whether he can survive this scandal. With absentee ballots for military and overseas voters scheduled to be sent out imminently, the timeline for Robinson to withdraw from the race is closing fast. Under North Carolina law, a gubernatorial candidate has until the day before absentee ballots are distributed to withdraw from the race.
If Robinson decides to remain in the race, his inclusion on the ballot could harm the GOP’s chances in 2024, particularly if his extreme rhetoric and personal scandals alienate moderate voters. Conversely, if he steps aside, the North Carolina Republican Party would be tasked with selecting a replacement candidate—a move that could stabilize the race but also expose deeper divisions within the party.
For now, Robinson remains defiant, but the coming weeks will reveal whether his campaign can withstand the pressure of mounting scandals and increasing calls for his resignation. One thing is certain: the scandal surrounding Mark Robinson has dramatically reshaped the political landscape in North Carolina, with potential implications for both the gubernatorial race and the broader national election in 2024.
