North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson (R-NC) has vowed to take legal action against CNN after the network published an investigative piece linking him to offensive and lewd comments made on an adult website years ago. The Republican candidate, who is also North Carolina’s lieutenant governor, claims the allegations are baseless and part of a broader attempt to derail his campaign.
“We absolutely are [taking action],” Robinson said during an interview on Monday. “We’re in talks right now, everything up to legal counsel to take CNN to task for what they have done to us. We are going after them. We are going to go after them for what they’ve done.”
The allegations stem from a CNN KFile report that tied Robinson to derogatory comments made under the username “minisoldr” on a pornography website. The controversial remarks, which CNN claims date back more than a decade, include racially charged statements and support for extreme positions that are in stark contrast to his current public platform. Robinson has firmly denied the accusations, arguing that they are fabricated and meant to distract voters from the real issues facing North Carolinians.
“Make no mistake about it. We are not going to let CNN throw us off of our mission,” Robinson said. “Our mission is to win this race. And quite frankly, I am dismayed about the fact, as I said before, think about how many people out there right now, right in this place where we are right now who are hooked on fentanyl, who are hooked on opioids and how many will die tonight because of it? Think about what’s going on on our border. Think about what’s going on on the world stage.”
“You better understand, I am coming after CNN full throttle,” Robinson said. “But we’ve got to put the people first, and in order to do that, we’ve got to concentrate on this campaign. And that is exactly what we’re going to do.” This is not the first time Robinson has taken aim at the media. In his rise to political prominence, he has frequently clashed with outlets he sees as biased, claiming that they do not cover the real issues facing everyday Americans.
Robinson, a fierce advocate for conservative values, has made headlines before with his bold stances on issues such as abortion and transgenders. He has been unapologetic in his rhetoric, calling out opponents and media outlets that he believes are complicit in misleading the public. Despite the controversy, Robinson’s base appears initially undeterred.
According to CNN, in past online comments, Robinson made controversial statements including dismissing a celebrity’s abortion and making derogatory remarks about race and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. He was accused of using offensive language, which led to accusations of white supremacy. Robinson also faced allegations about frequenting pornography shops in the 1990s and 2000s, which his spokesperson denied.
Before accusations rocked Robinson’s campaign last Thursday, he was narrowing the gap in the polls against his Democratic opponent, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein. Stein, who has held various political roles in the state, is vying to become North Carolina’s first Jewish governor, but Robinson’s message has resonated with many voters who feel disillusioned with the status quo.
As the gubernatorial race enters its final weeks, the legal battle between Robinson and CNN could become a central narrative. For now, Robinson remains defiant, refusing to back down.