CNN Uncovers Fresh Round of Disturbing Comments by Mark Robinson

A CNN story published Thursday afternoon has revealed a new round of disturbing remarks that Republican NC Lt. Gov. and gubernatorial hopeful Mark Robinson apparently made on a website called Nude Africa between the years of 2008-12.

In a slew of posts, Robinson called himself a “black NAZI” and voiced his support for the return of slavery, adding “I would certainly buy a few,” CNN reported. Robinson also reportedly admitted to enjoying transgender porn, which contradicts his vehement and often hateful opposition to anything related to the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans rights.

Robinson, for his part, has denied ever making the comments, which include a number of other disturbing claims and revelations. In one conversation on the forum, Robinson stated that he would still as an adult fantasize about an experience in which he claims to have spied on naked women in a washroom as a teen.

In a short video posted to social media just before the story published, the candidate said, “Those are not the words of Mark Robinson” and called the story “salacious tabloid trash.”

Throughout the article, CNN reporters Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck lay out in detail overwhelming evidence supporting their case that Robinson did in fact make the posts they have uncovered.

Thursday’s revelations have led some to speculate that GOP leaders may try to force Robinson to drop out of the race, though he denied he would even consider doing so in his statement.

At least one party member, former Apex town council member and current Republican NC Senate candidate Scott Lassiter, called on Robinson to drop out on Thursday, asking that he “suspend his campaign to allow a quality candidate to finish this race.”

Though Robinson’s latest round of comments were reportedly made before he entered the political arena, it should be noted that he has continued to make hateful, disturbing and misinformed comments publicly throughout his political career and has garnered widespread support from the Republican Party for doing so, including earning an endorsement from former president Donald Trump.

Earlier this week, Advocate published a detailed but easily consumable list of things of “the most batshit things” Robinson has stated on the record, from suggesting that trans people should be forced to defecate in public to claiming that reports of the Holocaust are “hogwash.”

Political leaders and organizations around North Carolina have already begun to speak out about CNN’s story, with the NC Association of Educators releasing a statement that ties Robinson to Michelle Morrow, the Republican candidate for NC Superintendent of Public Instruction who is also known for her extreme stances and disturbing rhetoric.

“North Carolina public school children and their families deserve better than extremists like Mark Robinson. We are appalled by the latest revelations, but honestly, we already knew he was unfit for office. Now we know he is a despicable person,” read a statement from NCAE President Tamika Walker Kelly. “It is our hope that North Carolina voters will turn away from extremists like Mark Robinson and Michele Morrow — who has called for the public execution of public figures like Governor Cooper and a military coup. Our state deserves steady, common-sense leadership.”

Democratic candidates in other statewide races have also begun to use Thursday’s story against the Republican Party.

Read more: Freedom House Church Leader Makes Max Donation to Mark Robinson

The campaign of NC Sen. Jeff Jackson, currently running against Republican Dan Bishop for NC Attorney General, put out a release following the story’s publication that linked to a number of times Bishop has loudly and proudly supported Robinson.

“Does Dan Bishop regret endorsing Mark Robinson for governor? Is he still ‘proud’ to give Robinson his support? Does he still think Robinson is a ‘thoughtful and learned student of history’ that ‘brought a fresh perspective’? Or are Robinson’s comments on Nazis and slavery a bridge too far, even after all the other controversy?” the release stated before sharing a number of similar links in which Bishop supported Robinson.

“We’ve seen time and time again that Mark Robinson is far too extreme for North Carolina, yet Dan Bishop has stood by his side every step of the way,” the release continued. “Their policies are virtually identical. They both support total bans on abortion. They both have a history of offensive comments and attacking LGBTQ people. And they seem awfully chummy.”

At the time of this writing, the NC GOP has yet to comment on the new controversy.