LEESPORT, Pa. – Senator JD Vance reacted for the first time on Saturday bomb report Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor of North Carolina, said the allegations against Robinson were “absolutely not true.”
“The allegations are certainly far-fetched, but I know the allegations aren’t necessarily reality,” Vance said of Robinson’s comments on the porn site.
In an interview with NBC Philadelphia, Vance said, “Ultimately, it’s up to Mark Robinson and whether North Carolina is going to be their governor. stay in the race.“
Years ago, Robinson made comments on a porn site where he called himself a “black Nazi,” expressed his support for slavery, and referred to Martin Luther King Jr. with a racial slur. CNN reports published on Thursday
There are some members of his own party expressed his concern on claims. The North Carolina Republican Party released a statement Thursday, reiterating that Robinson “strongly denies the allegations.”
Robinson denied this news and said that he will stay in the race.
When asked if he believed Robinson’s denial that the comments were made by him, Vance said the situation should be “played out.”
“I don’t no believe him, I don’t — I just think you’ve got to let these things play out in the court of public opinion sometimes,” Vance said. I’m sure the media and others will investigate these comments further.”
Vance also said his ticket has no plans to campaign with Robinson, who is currently the lieutenant governor of North Carolina. The vice presidential candidate is scheduled to be in North Carolina on Monday.
NBC News previously reported Trump said he has no plans to formally withdraw his confirmation of Robinson. The former president previously heaped praise on Robinson, calling him “Martin Luther King on steroids.”
North Carolina is considered a crucial state for Republicans to secure the White House. Trump narrowly won the state in 2020, but Democrats have increased resources in North Carolina in hopes of turning it blue. Polls show that Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are in a tight race. In the gubernatorial race, Robinson is trailing his Democratic challenger, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein.
Alec Hernandez contributed.