Mark Robinson in Fayetteville Saturday after 'salacious' CNN report

Following a “salacious” CNN report this week that alleged he posted disturbing messages on adult websites, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson will be at Fayetteville Motor Speedway Saturday for a meeting “as part of his campaign commitment,” a Cumberland County campaign representative confirmed Friday night.

Robinson is a Republican candidate for governor of North Carolina in November. His opponent is Democratic candidate Josh Stein, who is currently the state’s attorney general.

Robinson’s appearance at Fayetteville Motor Speedway coincides with the Carlton Lamm Memorial Race on Saturday.

Shamike Bethea, chairwoman of Mark Robinson’s campaign for Cumberland County governor and president of the Cumberland County Republican Women’s Club, said in a statement Friday night that the meet is open to the public and tickets can be purchased at the event’s gate. General admission tickets for the race are $25.

Despite confirmation of the event by Robinson’s camp, a Speedway ticketing representative told the Fayetteville Observer Friday night that officials were not aware Robinson would be at Saturday’s event.

Representatives from the Cumberland County Republican office also said Friday night that they were not aware of any events the candidate was holding in the city on Saturday.

Robinson’s engagement in Fayetteville follows a CNN report this week that he made comments on an adult website called “Nude Africa” saying he liked transgender pornography and called himself a “pervert” and a “black NAZI.”

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The CNN report included screenshots of the username on the site and phrases and biographical information Robinson used. Robinson denied the allegations in videos posted to his social media pages Thursday, calling the report “salacious tabloid filth” and alleging that his opponent was behind the report’s leak.

“Those are not Mark Robinson’s words. You know my words. You know my character,” Robinson said in the video.

The Associated Press reported Friday that while Robinson has appeared frequently at events in North Carolina for former President Donald Trump’s third White House bid, he will not be at Trump’s campaign rally Saturday in Wilmington.

You can contact staff writer Rachael Riley at [email protected] or 910-486-3528.