Former President Donald Trump held a rally in Wilmington on Saturday, speaking on topics including the economy, immigration and a second debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Notably absent was N.C. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who has long been one of Trump’s top surrogates in the state and received an endorsement from the Republican presidential nominee in March.
Robinson saw controversy last week after an explosive CNN report connected the Republican gubernatorial nominee to a pornographic website account that made a series of inflammatory and sexually graphic remarks. Through the account, Robinson allegedly referred to himself as a “black NAZI” and a “perv,” also reportedly commenting that slavery “is not bad” and that he wished “they would bring it back.”
Instead of Robinson — a frequent warm-up speaker for Trump — the former President’s speech was preceded by state Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C.-7, and Luke Farley, Republican nominee for N.C. labor commissioner, among others.
“If we win this state, I think it’s going to be over fast,” Trump said. He and Vice President Kamala Harris were virtually tied in the race for the state’s 16 electoral votes as of Monday morning.
Trump shouted out several prominent state GOP politicians in his remarks, praising Rouzer, U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, N.C. Republican Chair Jason Simmons and state Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C.-8 and the Republican nominee for attorney general. He did not mention Robinson during the rally.
In the past, Trump has called Robinson “Martin Luther King [Jr.] on steroids,” “one of the great leaders in our country” and a “star” to be cherished “like a fine wine.” According to a Friday report by NBC News, the former president has not made plans to withdraw his endorsement of Robinson.
Trump highlights economy, appeals to women voters
Taking the stage in the early afternoon, Trump spent much of the speech criticizing Harris and focusing on the economy and immigration.
Trump highlighted several of his proposals, including eliminating taxes on tips and ending taxes on social security and overtime pay. He promised to “rescue” the middle class and accused the Biden-Harris administration of financially harming senior citizens.
On border security, he said that he would get illegal immigrants “out of North Carolina” by forcing all jurisdictions to comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He identified Mecklenburg County as one of the state’s sanctuary jurisdictions.
He also spoke about women voters, stating during the rally and in a later Truth Social post that women were worse off under the Biden-Harris administration. He noted that women are “poorer” and “less healthy” than they were four years ago, promising to end what he views as a “national nightmare.”
Trump also declined a second debate with Harris, saying he believes it’s “too late” to debate again.
Robinson campaign flounders
Hours after Trump took the stage Sunday, multiple media outlets reported that multiple top Robinson campaign aides suddenly resigned in the wake of the lieutenant governor’s scandal.
Robinson’s campaign confirmed that the departing staffers include his top adviser, campaign manager, deputy campaign manager and finance director. In the statement, Robinson said that new staffers would be announced “in the coming days” and that he appreciated the aides who “made the difficult choice to step away.”
Robinson has been struggling to turn around a campaign many Republicans fear could drag down other candidates on the ballot this November. A Sept. 10 WRAL poll showed him trailing his Democratic opponent, N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein, by 14 points, with Stein winning 51% of the vote to Robinson’s 37%. Other polls from the days preceding the scandal showed Stein’s lead between six and 13 points.
Stein’s lead has widened in recent months. Robinson has not led in an opinion poll since June, when surveys showed the two nominees tied. As the fallout of the CNN story continues to develop, Democrats have launched attack ads tying Robinson to Trump.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., urged Robinson in a Friday post on X to take legal action or — if the allegations against him are true — “take accountability for his actions and put the future of [North Carolina] and our party before himself.” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called Robinson “unfit to serve for office” if the allegations are true and encouraged him to “hire the best lawyer [he] could find.”
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Samanyu Gangappa is a Trinity sophomore and local/national news editor for the news department.