North Carolina Lieutenant Governor and Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson is pushing back hard against CNN after the network published an explosive article accusing him of calling himself a “Black N-zi” decades ago. Robinson, who flatly denies the allegations, has promised a “full scale” investigation into the network’s claims, announcing on Thursday that he has hired Jesse Binnall, a litigious attorney known for his work with President Trump, to spearhead the effort.
“I fully expect the facts are going to come to light quickly, and I intend to utilize every available means to hold CNN accountable for what they have done,” Robinson said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). He accused CNN of working with his political opponent, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, to divert attention from the real issues North Carolina faces, including crime and the economy.
Jesse Binnall and his team have launched a full-scale investigation into the allegations leveled against me by CNN. I have offered them complete cooperation and full transparency as they do so.
I fully expect the facts are going to come to light quickly, and I intend to utilize…
— Mark Robinson (@markrobinsonNC) September 26, 2024
Robinson’s heated response comes at a critical time, with his gubernatorial race slipping according to recent polls. Two surveys conducted by Marist College in the days following the CNN story showed Stein with a double-digit lead. Despite being an outspoken supporter of President Trump, Robinson was recently disinvited from a Trump rally, raising questions about whether his controversies are creating friction even within his own party.
The stakes in North Carolina are high not just for the state, but on a national level as well. Trump is neck-and-neck with Kamala Harris in national polling, and North Carolina is a key battleground state. Trump holds a modest edge in state polls, and his campaign has expressed confidence in carrying the state. However, there are concerns that Robinson’s ongoing scandal could negatively impact the broader Republican effort. Harris’s campaign has already started tying Trump to Robinson, using the endorsement Trump gave him earlier this year to try and discredit both.
Robinson remains defiant, vowing to continue his campaign undeterred by CNN’s reporting. “We are going after them for what they’ve done,” Robinson said in a recent interview. He emphasized that his focus is on the bigger issues facing the state, like the opioid crisis and border security, saying, “Think about how many people are hooked on fentanyl right now. We are not going to let CNN throw us off our mission.”
With legal action pending, Robinson’s battle with CNN is just beginning, and it could have significant implications for his gubernatorial run and the Republican Party in North Carolina.
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