''E-mail address belonging to Mark Robinson found on Ashley Madison''

In recent developments, an email address linked to North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson has surfaced on Ashley Madison, a notorious website designed for married individuals seeking extramarital affairs. This revelation has stirred significant controversy, with political implications looming as Robinson campaigns for governor. 

A trusted adviser close to Robinson, who spoke to POLITICO under the condition of anonymity, confirmed the legitimacy of the email address associated with Robinson. However, Mike Lonergan, Robinson’s communications director, promptly denied any involvement, stating that Robinson had never created or used an account on Ashley Madison. Lonergan's statement reiterated Robinson’s stance that these allegations were baseless.

CNN reported that Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, whom Donald Trump endorsed, had made “inflammatory comments” on the message board of a pornography website, including that he “enjoyed watching transgender pornography.''

Robinson's campaign team highlighted that the email address in question has appeared in various data breaches over time. This defense was intended to suggest that the email may have been compromised or used without Robinson’s knowledge, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the connection to the Ashley Madison account.

The timing of this revelation is significant. It coincides with reports that CNN uncovered posts allegedly made by Robinson on online pornographic forums, which further complicates Robinson’s already embattled gubernatorial campaign. In these posts, Robinson allegedly made several controversial and explicit comments. However, in a pre-recorded interview with CNN that is set to air, Robinson vehemently denied any association with these activities, dismissing the allegations as false.

On Thursday, CNN reported that Robinson’s email address and full name were linked to posts on a pornographic site called “Nude Africa.” The posts allegedly contained explicit content, including Robinson discussing voyeuristic tendencies and making offensive remarks, such as comments about slavery and a self-described reference as a "black Nazi." Robinson firmly denied making these posts and characterized them as fabrications.

Amid the intensifying controversy, Robinson's campaign team released a video statement on Thursday, in which Robinson preemptively addressed the allegations, labeling them as "salacious tabloid trash." He asserted that the accusations did not reflect his character and blamed his political opponent, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, for the smear campaign. In his video message, Robinson urged voters to focus on substantive issues and expressed frustration over what he deemed as an attempt to distract from real policy matters.

"Let me reassure you, the things that you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson," he said. He accused Stein of working with CNN to orchestrate a political attack, aiming to tarnish his reputation ahead of the election. Robinson’s messaging emphasized that the allegations were part of a broader effort to undermine his campaign.

Despite Robinson’s strong denial, prominent Republican figures in North Carolina have begun to distance themselves from him. Senator Ted Budd released a statement calling the allegations "disgusting" and urging Robinson to provide proof that the accusations were false. Budd's statement underlined the need for Robinson to address these claims directly and transparently.

Congressman Richard Hudson, who serves as chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, also expressed concern. Speaking to reporters, Hudson emphasized that the allegations were "very concerning" and that Robinson needed to reassure North Carolina voters with more detailed evidence refuting the claims.

The fallout from these controversies is not limited to Robinson alone. Josh Stein, Robinson’s opponent in the gubernatorial race, seized on the moment to reinforce his campaign message. In a statement, Stein's team highlighted the increasing number of controversies surrounding Robinson, arguing that they demonstrated his unfitness for office. The statement reiterated Stein’s commitment to building a safer and stronger North Carolina, contrasting his platform with Robinson's troubled candidacy.

Robinson has long been a polarizing figure in North Carolina politics. His rise to prominence as a conservative firebrand has been marked by controversy, with past inflammatory remarks targeting various groups, including women, the LGBTQ+ community, and religious minorities. His gubernatorial campaign has struggled in recent polls, trailing Stein by a significant margin. While Robinson’s candidacy had energized some segments of the Republican base, these latest revelations have cast further doubt on his viability as a statewide candidate.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Robinson complicates matters. Trump remains popular with a significant portion of North Carolina Republicans, and his support could have bolstered Robinson's campaign. However, recent internal polling indicates that Robinson’s unpopularity may not be helping Trump’s standing in the state. While Trump leads Vice President Kamala Harris by a small margin in North Carolina, Robinson lags behind Stein by a much wider gap, according to sources familiar with the internal Trump campaign data.

Trump’s campaign has remained tight-lipped about Robinson’s troubles. According to sources, the former president’s team has not pressured Robinson to exit the race or skip upcoming Trump rallies in the state, despite the escalating controversy. Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Saturday, and Robinson's presence at the event remains uncertain. The last time Robinson appeared with Trump was during an August rally in Asheboro, where Trump called local sheriffs on stage. Robinson joined them without Trump’s direct invitation.

As the situation unfolds, North Carolina Republicans find themselves grappling with a delicate balancing act. On the one hand, many in the party are eager to support Trump and maintain a unified front ahead of the 2024 election. On the other hand, Robinson’s growing list of scandals threatens to tarnish the party’s image and distract from the broader political agenda.

For Robinson, the immediate task is damage control. His campaign’s focus on discrediting the allegations as politically motivated is an attempt to rally his base and shift the narrative away from personal scandals. However, the gravity of the accusations and the widespread media coverage they have garnered present significant challenges.

Public perception will likely be crucial in determining Robinson's political future. The coming days and weeks will reveal whether his denials and counter-narratives can sway voters or if the mounting controversies will prove too much for his gubernatorial aspirations. Either way, the race for North Carolina governor has become a flashpoint in the broader national conversation about character, accountability, and the ever-evolving dynamics of political campaigns.

As Robinson continues to face scrutiny, his supporters will need to weigh whether his denials and explanations are sufficient to regain their trust. Similarly, his detractors are likely to use these latest revelations as further proof of his unsuitability for office. With Election Day drawing closer, the outcome of this high-stakes race remains uncertain, and Robinson's path forward is anything but clear.