Vance on new claims against Mark Robinson: 'Allegations aren't necessarily reality'
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), former President Trump’s running mate, would not say Saturday whether he believes North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R) when he says he did not post the inflammatory comments linked to him in CNN’s new bombshell reporting.
“Well, look, the allegations are pretty far out there, of course, but I know that allegations aren't necessarily reality,” Vance said when asked by an NBC Philadelphia reporter whether he’s comfortable with Robinson remaining the GOP gubernatorial candidate, despite the recent allegations.
“And what I'd say is it's ultimately up to Mark Robinson and North Carolina whether he's going to be their governor and whether he wants to stay in the race,” Vance continued. “I'll let them make that decision.”
CNN published an explosive report Thursday about Robinson, revealing a wide range of inflammatory comments that he allegedly made on a pornography website more than 10 years ago, including calling himself a “black NAZI” and wishing for slavery to be reinstated.
An account with the username “minisoldr” made the posts, and CNN identified that account as Robinson’s. CNN noted Robinson’s full name was listed on the account, that he used an email address and a username that were connected to Robinson elsewhere, and that the account listed biographical details that CNN said lined up with his background.
Robinson has adamantly denied the reporting and said he is committed to staying in the race, even as some in his own party have raised concerns about the viability of his campaign. He also released a preemptive video to the social platform X shortly before the article’s publication, denying the allegations in the forthcoming story and blaming his Democratic opponent for leaking it.
Asked whether he believes Robinson's claim that the posts were not his, Vance said Saturday, “I don't not believe him. I don't believe him. I just think that you have to let these things sometimes play out in the court of public opinion.”
“He's going to make whatever arguments he wants to make. I'm sure the news media and others are going to investigate these comments further,” Vance continued. “I just think that fundamentally, it's Mark Robinson and the people of North Carolina that get to decide whether he's their governor, and that's what we're going to focus on.”
The Hill has contacted Vance's staff for comment.
Date: |
-
NBC News - Politics
Vance says allegations against Mark Robinson 'aren't necessarily reality'
Sen. JD Vance reacted to the bombshell report about Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor in North Carolina, saying that the allegations against Robinson "aren't necessarily reality."23 hours ago -
NBC News - Politics
JD Vance says allegations against Mark Robinson 'aren't necessarily reality'
Sen. JD Vance reacted for the first time to the bombshell report about Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor in North Carolina, saying that the allegations against Robinson "aren't ...23 hours ago -
NBC News - Politics
Sen. Fetterman says Mark Robinson is the ‘new dream candidate to run against’
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) reacts to the bombshell report about North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, saying Democrats are now in the “best possible situation to win” the state.12 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Graham says Mark Robinson allegations make him ‘unfit to serve’ if true
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) joined MSNBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday, where he said the allegations against North Carolina gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson would make him “unfit to serve” if they ...11 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Fetterman says Mark Robinson story is ‘great news’ for Democrats
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said Sunday that the allegations against North Carolina Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson are “great news” for Democrats. Fetterman joined MSNBC’s “Meet the ...11 hours ago -
CBS News - Top stories
What to know about N.C. gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson's alleged offensive past comments
Douglas Heye, former communications director for the Republican National Committee, explains what to expect next in North Carolina's gubernatorial race after a CNN report revealed alleged past ...2 days ago -
CBS News - Top stories
Republican Mark Robinson vows to stay in N.C. governor's race after alleged racist comments
Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson says he will not withdraw from the North Carolina governor's race after CNN reported about a series of alleged sexual and racist comments that appeared to be made ...2 days ago -
NBC News - Politics
How the Mark Robinson allegations could shake up the North Carolina governor’s race
As Mark Robinson faces calls to drop out of the North Carolina gubernatorial race, Bryan Anderson, a political journalist from North Carolina, joins Top Story to explain how he had early insight to ...2 days ago
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Key aides exit Mark Robinson campaign amid porn site scandal
Key aides in North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s (R) campaign “have stepped down from their roles,” according to a release from the gubernatorial candidate’s campaign. According to the Sunday ...2 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
What made the cut in Congress’s plan to avert a shutdown — and what didn't
Congressional leaders have struck a deal to keep the government open past a looming Sept. 30 deadline, after a previous effort to punt the funding fight into spring 2025 and attach a Trump-backed ...3 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Israeli president: ‘We did not want this war’ with Hezbollah
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a Sunday interview that his country is "absolutely not" looking to escalate tensions with Hezbollah into a full-blown war but that it was committed to ...3 hours ago - Israel -
The Hill - Politics
Biden says US is doing 'everything we can' to prevent wider war in the Middle East
President Biden said the U.S. is doing “everything we can” to prevent wider war in the Middle East on Sunday. “We're going to do everything we can to keep a wider war from breaking out,” the ...3 hours ago - Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
Johnson rolls out plan B to avert government shutdown
House GOP leaders on Sunday unveiled a plan to keep the government funded for three months after Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) opening gambit to avoid a shutdown failed due to opposition from ...4 hours ago