NC GOP Nominee Linked to Controversial Online Posts, Sparking Political Turmoil

Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for North Carolina governor, finds himself embroiled in controversy following allegations of controversial online posts. The situation has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of this crucial battleground state.

According to reports, a user account on an adult forum, allegedly linked to Robinson, made disturbing statements praising Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf" and self-identifying as a "black NAZI." The Washington Post obtained screenshots of these posts before they were removed from the Nude Africa forum on September 19, 2024.

The user, known as "minisoldr," wrote:

"Mein Kampf is a good read. It's very informative and not at all what I thought it would be. It's a real eye opener."

It's worth noting that "Mein Kampf," written by Hitler during his imprisonment in 1924, is widely recognized as a manifesto of Nazi ideology and antisemitism.

The controversy extends beyond the praise of Hitler's work. The same user account allegedly detailed extramarital affairs and made derogatory comments about Black individuals. Additionally, Politico reported that an email associated with Robinson was registered on Ashley Madison, a website known for facilitating extramarital relationships.

Robinson's campaign vehemently denies these allegations. His spokesman, Mike Lonergan, has repeatedly stated that Robinson did not author the posts in question. However, CNN has pointed out numerous connections between Robinson and the "minisoldr" account, including matching usernames on public platforms.

This scandal has emerged at a critical time for the Republican Party in North Carolina. The state is not only pivotal in the upcoming gubernatorial race but also plays a significant role in former President Donald Trump's strategy to regain the White House. Trump had previously endorsed Robinson, despite concerns within the GOP about Robinson's history of controversial statements.

The Republican response to the situation has been mixed. While the state Republican Party issued a statement of support for Robinson, other GOP members are distancing themselves from the candidate. Notably, Robinson is not expected to attend Trump's rally in Wilmington, N.C., on September 21, 2024.

This is not the first time Robinson's public statements have raised eyebrows. His social media history includes comments downplaying concerns about Nazis while emphasizing the threat of communism. In September 2017, following a neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Robinson wrote on Facebook:

"For the 4,880,560th time; CULTURAL MARXISM, SOCIALISM, and their father COMMUNISM are the enemies of this nation. Please STOP wasting my time, your time, and the time of your fellow conservatives talking about, and making mention of, the NAZIS who have been DEAD since 1945."

[[Mark Robinson's Facebook post]]

The controversy surrounding Robinson has broader implications for the Republican Party. With control of the U.S. Senate hanging in the balance, some fear that Robinson's candidacy could negatively impact other GOP candidates in North Carolina and beyond.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this controversy will affect Robinson's campaign and the broader political landscape in North Carolina, a state that continues to play a crucial role in national elections.