Less than 24 hours after a revealing report about comments made by Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor of North Carolina, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has launched a new advertising campaign. This effort aims to link Robinson to former President Donald Trump, spotlighting their shared ideologies and relationships.
The DNC plans to roll out a digital advertisement campaign alongside nearly a dozen billboards throughout North Carolina. These ads will highlight Trump’s previous praise for Robinson, North Carolina’s current lieutenant governor. A source familiar with the matter confirmed the strategy, stating that the DNC hopes to undermine Trump’s support in a state crucial to the upcoming presidential race, especially given that no Democratic candidate has won North Carolina since 2008.
The advertisements will feature images of Trump and Robinson together, along with notable quotes from Trump describing Robinson as “outstanding” and an “incredible gentleman.” The digital ads will target voters on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, while the billboards will be strategically placed in key cities across the battleground state.
According to sources, the DNC is also considering television advertisements to further link Robinson with Trump, although no final decisions have been made.
The report detailed a series of racist and antisemitic comments allegedly made by Robinson on a pornography website between 2008 and 2012. These comments include troubling assertions about slavery and racial slurs directed at civil rights leaders. Robinson dismissed these allegations as “tabloid trash” in a video posted before the report’s release.
Trump’s endorsement of Robinson during a rally in Greensboro has created a challenging narrative for both candidates. Trump referred to Robinson as “Martin Luther King on steroids,” which the DNC aims to exploit by emphasizing the connection between Robinson’s controversial past and Trump’s endorsement.
DNC Chair Jaime Harrison stated, “Donald Trump and Mark Robinson are two MAGA extremists cut from the same cloth,” highlighting their shared positions on issues like abortion and election integrity.
With North Carolina being a pivotal state in the electoral landscape, both parties are making significant investments in their campaigns. Trump narrowly won North Carolina in 2020, and Democrats are optimistic about flipping the state this November, which could significantly impact the overall election outcome.
Recent polling indicates a competitive race, with a Quinnipiac University survey showing Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump by a slim margin of 49% to 46%.
As the election approaches, both the DNC and GOP are mobilizing their strategies to sway North Carolina voters. With millions already invested in advertising and campaign efforts, the spotlight on Robinson’s controversial comments and his connection to Trump will be pivotal in shaping the narratives leading up to November.