Former Republican Party chairman Michael Steele expressed shock over the latest scandal involving North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R), who is running for governor. The controversy centers on allegations that Robinson frequently viewed adult videos featuring transgender individuals and posted inflammatory comments online, including statements supporting Ku Klux Klan ideology.
During a segment on MSNBC, host Nicolle Wallace shared parts of the CNN report, although she admitted that some details were too lewd to read aloud. Robinson has denied the allegations entirely and insisted he is not dropping out of the gubernatorial race.
“So, lots of layers here, right?” Wallace asked the panel. “The sex stuff, which is too lewd to read to you, exceeds my skill set as a cable news anchor. But given how important North Carolina is, and where the polls are now at the top of the ticket, it’s significant that” Robinson’s response ended with, ‘I’m not dropping out of the race.'”
Steele, taken aback by the situation, questioned the priorities of his party. “Okay, so, this was the line? This was the line, Republicans? This? So, this was the line you’re drawing now with the Trump campaign and the North Carolina Republican Party’s like — he’s got to go. This is the line? The porn site and the — really?
The ‘Black Nazi’ stuff, that was a line? The killing people wasn’t a problem? All the other stuff he said before now wasn’t a problem, as you embraced this man and raised him above your head and said, ‘He is us.’ Well, he is you, North Carolina Republicans.”
Steele accused the state GOP of knowing much of this damaging information about Robinson for years, as videos of his inflammatory remarks had long been available. He criticized their decision to support him despite these controversies, which now threaten the party’s standing.
“Give me a break,” Steele said, accusing the North Carolina GOP of turning a blind eye to Robinson’s past. He pointed out the broader political impact, noting that the Democratic nominee for president has been performing well in the state, particularly in areas where Republicans did not expect a strong challenge.
“That race has tightened up to the point where she now has strong leads in areas they didn’t think would be possible,” Steele concluded, suggesting that the Robinson scandal could have far-reaching consequences for the GOP in North Carolina.