A recent scandal involving North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, a Trump-backed Republican, has been described as a “gut punch” for the GOP, according to former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger. The controversy revolves around Robinson’s alleged posts on a pornography website, where he reportedly made offensive comments about slavery, Muslims, and transgender people, while also discussing his enjoyment of transgender pornography—despite his public stance against transgender rights.
Robinson, who is currently the lieutenant governor of North Carolina, has denied the accusations, calling the CNN report that revealed the posts “salacious tabloid trash” and insisting that the remarks were not his. He also accused his Democratic opponent, Josh Stein, of orchestrating a “high-tech lynching” in an effort to derail his campaign.
Despite Robinson’s denial, the scandal is viewed as potentially devastating to Republicans in North Carolina. Kinzinger, a vocal Trump critic, emphasized that this could not only damage Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign but also have wider repercussions for the 2024 presidential election. He warned that the controversy could dishearten Republican voters in the swing state, possibly reducing turnout or leading some voters to support Vice President Kamala Harris instead.
Polling data already showed Robinson trailing Stein before the scandal, with some surveys indicating a double-digit gap. The North Carolina Republican Party defended Robinson, accusing “the Left” of trying to smear him, while former President Donald Trump has yet to comment on the situation, despite having previously praised Robinson.
The scandal could have broader implications for Trump’s campaign, as North Carolina is a key battleground state for the 2024 election. Polls indicate a tight race between Trump and President Joe Biden, with Trump holding a narrow lead of just 0.1 percent according to FiveThirtyEight.
