North Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson has announced that he has hired a law firm to investigate “false and slanderous allegations” in a CNN report that portrayed the candidate calling himself a “black Nazi.”
Robinson's campaign announced Tuesday that it had hired the Northern Virginia-based law firm Vinal Law Group, whose partner, Jesse Vinal, worked for former President Trump and his campaign.
“As I have said from the beginning, CNN's allegations are obscene lies. I will not be distracted by these attacks and am focused on our shared better future for our state. I am pleased to welcome Jesse Vinal and his team to the team to investigate where and how these false slanders began,” Robinson, who has denied the allegations detailed in CNN's explosive report, said in a statement.
“I am confident that the Binnall Law Firm will use every avenue to assist us in holding CNN accountable for its lies,” he continued. “In the meantime, my campaign will remain focused on the issues at stake in this election.”
Robinson threatened to sue CNN on Monday.
CNN's explosive report revealed that Robinson had posted a series of inflammatory comments on a pornography message board more than a decade ago, including wanting to reinstate slavery and calling himself a “black Nazi.” He also reportedly called Martin Luther King Jr. a “communist bastard” and said he would choose Adolf Hitler “over any motherfucker in Washington.”
Some Republicans have distanced themselves from the gubernatorial candidate, who has faced intense criticism over the CNN report. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina has indicated he will not vote for Robinson. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said over the weekend that if the allegations in the report are true, Robinson “is unfit to serve as governor.”
“Jake, I've seen these allegations and they are concerning allegations,” Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) told CNN, adding that Robinson “owes the people of North Carolina more of an explanation on this.”
Following the CNN report published last week, key members of Robinson's campaign staff resigned, including the campaign manager, finance director, deputy campaign manager, general consultant and senior adviser. The Republican Governors Association said it was not investing any more money in Robinson's race against Democrat Attorney General Josh Stein.
“My team and I look forward to getting to the bottom of CNN's allegations and will do everything in our power to get to the facts. Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, his family, and the voters of North Carolina deserve nothing less,” Vinal said.
The Hill has reached out to CNN for comment.
