The CNN report claimed that Robinson made controversial statements on a pornographic website more than a decade ago.
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North Carolina's Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson has filed a lawsuit against CNN, accusing the network of defamation over a report that claimed he made explicit racial and sexual posts on a pornography website’s message board.
The CNN report first aired on 19 September alleged that Robinson posted inflammatory remarks on a pornographic website over a decade ago, including calling himself a “black Nazi” and praising Adolf Hitler over former US President Barack Obama.
CNN linked the message board account to Robinson by comparing usernames, email addresses, and biographical details.
Robinson, who would be North Carolina’s first black governor if elected, has denied creating the offensive posts, calling the report a “high-tech lynching” by political opponents aiming to destroy his campaign.
He announced the lawsuit during a news conference in Raleigh, where his attorney argued that CNN ignored evidence of Robinson’s data being compromised in multiple breaches. The lawsuit seeks at least $50 million (€46m) in damages.
The lawsuit, submitted to Wake County Superior Court, comes just weeks after the report led many Republican officials, including Donald Trump, to distance themselves from Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign.
In addition to CNN, the lawsuit also names Greensboro punk singer Louis Love Money, who accused Robinson of frequenting a porn shop in the 1990s and early 2000s. Robinson denies the allegations and claims the statements are part of a coordinated effort to derail his campaign.
Following the report, key staff members from Robinson’s campaign resigned, and the Republican Governors Association withdrew its financial backing. His campaign has since scaled back its television advertisements, opting to focus on in-person events.
Robinson, who has faced past criticism for controversial remarks on abortion and LGBTQ+ issues, remains behind Democratic rival Josh Stein in polls.
CNN declined to comment on the lawsuit. Meanwhile, Stein’s spokesperson stated that Robinson’s suitability for governor was in question even before the report, emphasising that North Carolinians deserve better leadership.