Mark Robinson Archives

CNN wants the North Carolina lieutenant governor’s defamation lawsuit against it thrown out

November 22, 2024 11:03 am

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — CNN wants a defamation lawsuit against it filed by North Carolina’s lieutenant governor dismissed. Mark Robinson filed the suit against the network for its report saying he once made explicit posts on a pornography website’s message board. The September report nearly led to the collapse of the Republican’s campaign for governor. Robinson ended up losing that race earlier this month. He sued in October and said, in part, the network failed to verify the posts. CNN’s filing on Thursday in federal court said that Robinson presented no evidence that the network believed its story was false or aired it recklessly. The report also detailed how they connected Robinson to a username on the website.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Democrats find electoral success further down the ballot and hope to build on it

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democrats fell short again in wresting away swing-state prize North Carolina from Republicans in the presidential election. But their party succeeded with significant state down-ballot victories that builds them hope for the next cycle. Donald Trump narrowly won North Carolina’s electoral votes for the third consecutive election. But Democratic candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general won, and legislative candidates appear to have secured enough victories to end the GOP’s veto-proof majority. State Republican leaders say their party is still doing well. They point to winning five statewide executive branch posts, retaining General Assembly control and continuing recent dominance in statewide appellate court races.… Continue Reading

Democrats gain another statewide position in North Carolina with Rachel Hunt victory

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The group of North Carolina elected executive branch positions known as the Council of State will have equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans come January. Democrats flipped the positions of lieutenant governor and superintendent of public instruction, while a Republican defeated the incumbent Democratic state auditor. Rachel Hunt’s victory for lieutenant governor capped other top Democratic wins, including Josh Stein for governor and Jeff Jackson for attorney general. Hunt is the daughter of former four-term Gov. Jim Hunt. Meanwhile, Republicans continued their recent dominance in appellate court races by winning three seats and leading narrowly in a fourth.… Continue Reading

Embattled Republican candidate fights on in North Carolina governor’s race

ELLERBE, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina had been projected as the state with the most closely watched race for governor this fall. But advantages late in the race appear to favor Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein over Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Stein’s campaign has overwhelmed Robinson in fundraising, including a massive $44.6 million haul from July to mid-October. Stein’s coffers have been used for ads attacking Robinson for past inflammatory comments on abortion, women and other topics. And a September CNN report alleging Robinson made racial and sexual posts on a pornography website’s message board more than a decade ago shook his campaign. Robinson denies writing the posts and sued CNN for defamation.… Continue Reading

Trump repeats debunked claims about FEMA as he surveys storm damage in North Carolina

RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is blasting federal emergency responders whose work in North Carolina has been stymied by armed harassment and a deluge of misinformation. But Trump said Monday that he was not concerned that the aftermath of Hurricane Helene would affect election results in the battleground state. Trump was asked whether it was helpful to criticize hurricane relief workers after the Federal Emergency Management Agency recently paused its work in the area because of reports they could be targeted by militia. He responded by again attacking the agency and repeating the falsehood that the response was hampered because FEMA spent its budget helping people who crossed the border illegally.… Continue Reading

Former porn shop worker wants defamation lawsuit by North Carolina lieutenant governor dismissed

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A former porn shop worker who was accused by North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson of defamation has asked a court to throw out the lawsuit against him. Louis Love Money’s dismissal motion Wednesday contends Robinson’s lawsuit violates procedural rules and contains bizarre allegations. The Republican nominee for governor sued Money and CNN this week. Money alleged that Robinson once frequented porn shops where he worked and that Robinson purchased porn videos from him. CNN last month reported Robinson made explicit racial and sexual posts on a pornography website more than a decade ago. Robinson’ suit calls them “disgusting lies.”… Continue Reading

North Carolina governor candidate Mark Robinson sues CNN over report about posts on porn site

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson has sued CNN over its recent report that he made explicit racial and sexual posts on a pornography website’s message board. He made the announcement Tuesday and calls the reporting reckless and defamatory. The lawsuit comes less than four weeks after a report that led many of his fellow GOP elected officials and candidates to distance themselves from Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign. That includes GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. CNN declined to comment on the lawsuit. Robinson is also suing a man who alleges Robinson frequented a porn shop decades ago.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson treated for burns after accidentally touching exhaust pipe

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson says he has been treated for burns he suffered when he accidentally touched an exhaust pipe at a truck show while campaigning for governor. The campaign says Robinson was attending the Mayberry Truck Show in Mount Airy on Friday evening when he was injured. A campaign spokesperson says he was treated at Northern Regional Hospital in Mount Airy for second-degree burns. The campaign pointed to a social media video in which Robinson said Saturday it happened when he was getting out of a truck during a show parade. He is running against Democrat Josh Stein for governor.… Continue Reading

Harris makes scandal-plagued Republican the star of her campaign to win North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — There’s an unlikely star in Kamala Harris’ fight to make history in North Carolina: Mark Robinson, the state’s scandal-plagued candidate for governor. As of this week, Robinson is featured in Harris volunteers’ conversations with voters on the phone and at the doorways. Democrats wave signs bearing his name at their press conferences. Billboard trucks circulate in key cities warning that he is “unhinged.” And Harris is running a statewide advertising campaign highlighting Robinson’s relationship with Donald Trump. No Democrat has carried this Southern state since former President Barack Obama in 2008. But polls now suggest the 2024 contest is razor-thin. Democrats are betting that the weight of Robinson’s baggage can tip the scales in Harris’ favor.… Continue Reading