Mark Robinson Withdraws from Trump Rally Amid Controversy

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson will skip Donald Trump's rally in Wilmington following a CNN report detailing alleged inflammatory online posts from over a decade ago, including racial slurs and inappropriate comments. Robinson, a frequent Trump ally, has denied the allegations, calling them 'salacious tabloid lies,' but faces increasing political pressure as his gubernatorial campaign trails in the polls against Democrat Josh Stein. Trump's campaign, while supportive of Robinson in the past, has not indicated any plans to retract their endorsement, focusing instead on the importance of North Carolina in the upcoming election. The controversy has prompted Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, to seize the opportunity to link Robinson's past comments to the GOP's broader challenges in the state. Robinson's decision to remain in the race, despite the backlash, could potentially jeopardize GOP efforts in the battleground state, where maintaining control is crucial.