CNN report on Mark Robinson’s controversial comments shakes up North Carolina governor’s race.

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor, is facing a major scandal after a CNN investigation revealed a series of shocking and racist comments he posted on a pornographic website more than a decade ago. The report, which has sent shockwaves through the state’s gubernatorial race, detailed comments made under the username “minisoldr” on the website Nude Africa between 2008 and 2012. The account used the name “mark robinson” in its profile, and numerous biographical details align with Robinson’s own history. The email address associated with the account also belonged to Robinson, according to CNN.

On the Nude Africa forum, the user expressed disturbing views, including a desire to “bring [slavery] back” and “buy a few” slaves, while identifying as a “black NAZI.” The account’s comments included statements such as, “Some people need to be slaves. I wish they would bring it (slavery) back. I would certainly buy a few,” made during a discussion about Black Republicans in 2010.

In a particularly appalling post from March 2012, minisoldr expressed a preference for Hitler over former President Barack Obama’s administration, stating, “I’d take Hitler over any of the s*** that’s in Washington right now!” The account also used racist language to disparage civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., posting, “I’m not in the KKK. They don’t let blacks join. If I was in the KKK I would have called him Martin Lucifer Koon!” in October 2011, as reported by CNN.

Earlier reports indicated that CNN was preparing to publish a damaging story that could prompt calls for Robinson to withdraw from the race. In a video released prior to the CNN story, Robinson vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that the comments were not his own and declaring his intention to remain in the race. The controversy has cast a shadow over the upcoming gubernatorial election in North Carolina, where ballots will soon be mailed to voters.

In response to the allegations, Robinson maintained his innocence, stating, “The things that you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson. You know my words, you know my character and you know that I have been completely transparent in this race and before.” He reiterated this stance in an interview with CNN, expressing disbelief at the accusations and insinuating that the story was a fabrication.

Mark Robinson, a 56-year-old married father of two, has a history of making controversial statements that have garnered attention since his victory in the state’s Republican primary earlier this year. As North Carolina’s lieutenant governor since 2021, Robinson gained prominence for a viral pro-gun rights speech that propelled his political career. He has been vocal on a range of contentious issues, including Islam, abortion, feminism, and LGBTQ+ rights. If elected, he would make history as the first Black governor of North Carolina, receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who has praised him as “Martin Luther King on steroids.”

Robinson placed blame on his Democratic opponent, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, alleging that Stein orchestrated the leak of the damaging story to CNN. The fallout from the report has raised concerns among Republicans about Robinson’s electoral prospects, with Senator Ted Budd refraining from calling for Robinson to step down until more information is gathered. “North Carolinian voters are smart, and they know how to pick each and every candidate based on their own merits,” Budd stated.

The scandal surrounding Mark Robinson’s past comments has cast a shadow over the gubernatorial race in North Carolina, raising questions about the future of his candidacy and the impact on the upcoming election. As the fallout continues to unfold, both Robinson and his opponents face a pivotal moment in the campaign, with voters left to weigh the implications of the disturbing revelations on the state’s political landscape.