Email Address Linked to Mark Robinson Discovered on Ashley Madison
An adviser to the North Carolina Republican has verified that the email address in question is indeed his.
TroibNews 
An email address attributed to North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson has been found registered on Ashley Madison, a platform aimed at individuals seeking extramarital affairs.
An adviser to Robinson, who requested anonymity for candidness, confirmed to PMG that this email address is indeed Robinson's. However, a spokesperson from Robinson's team stated that he did not create an account on Ashley Madison.
“Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson denies that he ever created or used an account on this website,” remarked Mike Lonergan, Robinson’s communications director.
Robinson's campaign also highlighted that the email address in question has been involved in numerous data breaches.
The revelation of Robinson’s personal email address on Ashley Madison coincided with reports from CNN detailing past posts allegedly made by Robinson on adult-themed forums — a development that raised concerns among North Carolina Republicans, especially as Robinson's prospects in the governor’s race seem to dim. According to a source familiar with the matter, Robinson recorded an interview with CNN set to air Thursday evening, where he denied various allegations about his online behavior.
CNN reported on Thursday afternoon that Robinson, who received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, had previously commented on a site named “Nude Africa.” These comments included his full name and the same email address linked to the Ashley Madison registration.
In the report, CNN noted that Robinson recounted finding sexual arousal in past experiences of “peeping” on women in public showers as a teen, expressed a preference for “tranny on girl porn,” controversially stated that “slavery is not bad,” and labeled himself a “black Nazi!” He denied posting these comments to CNN.
Robinson anticipated that such allegations would be brought to light, previously referring to them as “salacious tabloid trash” in a campaign video released on Thursday. He affirmed his commitment to remain in the race while categorically denying the accusations against him. The video was released amid turmoil among political operatives in North Carolina and beyond over the impending CNN report.
“Let me reassure you, the things that you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson,” he stated in the video, accusing his opponent, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, of leaking information to CNN. “Folks, this race right now, our opponents are desperate to shift the focus here from the substantive issues and focus on what you are concerned with to salacious tabloid trash.”
In response to the CNN report, at least one notable North Carolina Republican, Rep. Richard Hudson, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, commented that "the allegations are very concerning."
“He says they're not true,” Hudson added. “I think he needs to assure the people of the state with a little more detail that they aren't true.”
Josh Stein’s campaign released a statement asserting that “North Carolinians already know Mark Robinson is completely unfit to be governor,” emphasizing that Stein is focused on winning the campaign to foster a safer, stronger North Carolina for all.
Robinson, who has gained attention as a conservative figure during his time as lieutenant governor and faced backlash for controversial remarks regarding women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and various groups, is currently trailing in the polls.
It remains uncertain whether Robinson's declining numbers are affecting Trump's standing in the state, though the former president is in a competitive race against Kamala Harris in North Carolina, while Robinson's chances appear to diminish.
Trump won North Carolina in both of the previous presidential elections, albeit by a narrow margin of just over 1 point in 2020, while Democrat Roy Cooper secured the governor's office both times.
An internal poll commissioned by Trump’s campaign reportedly shows Robinson trailing Stein by 14 percentage points, with Trump leading Harris by 3 points in North Carolina, according to an individual familiar with the polling. Public polling has consistently shown Robinson behind Stein, sometimes by as much as 14 points.
Trump’s campaign representatives declined to comment on the internal poll's reported results.
Two individuals with knowledge of the situation, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, informed PMG that there has been no pressure from the Trump campaign for Robinson to withdraw from the race or to avoid attending Trump’s rallies in the state, despite conflicting reports.
Trump is scheduled to hold a rally on Saturday in Wilmington, North Carolina. Robinson was last seen with Trump at an event in Asheboro, North Carolina, on August 21, where Trump invited local sheriffs on stage, without specifically asking Robinson to join him.
Nicholas Wu contributed to this report.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
An adviser to Robinson, who requested anonymity for candidness, confirmed to PMG that this email address is indeed Robinson's. However, a spokesperson from Robinson's team stated that he did not create an account on Ashley Madison.
“Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson denies that he ever created or used an account on this website,” remarked Mike Lonergan, Robinson’s communications director.
Robinson's campaign also highlighted that the email address in question has been involved in numerous data breaches.
The revelation of Robinson’s personal email address on Ashley Madison coincided with reports from CNN detailing past posts allegedly made by Robinson on adult-themed forums — a development that raised concerns among North Carolina Republicans, especially as Robinson's prospects in the governor’s race seem to dim. According to a source familiar with the matter, Robinson recorded an interview with CNN set to air Thursday evening, where he denied various allegations about his online behavior.
CNN reported on Thursday afternoon that Robinson, who received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, had previously commented on a site named “Nude Africa.” These comments included his full name and the same email address linked to the Ashley Madison registration.
In the report, CNN noted that Robinson recounted finding sexual arousal in past experiences of “peeping” on women in public showers as a teen, expressed a preference for “tranny on girl porn,” controversially stated that “slavery is not bad,” and labeled himself a “black Nazi!” He denied posting these comments to CNN.
Robinson anticipated that such allegations would be brought to light, previously referring to them as “salacious tabloid trash” in a campaign video released on Thursday. He affirmed his commitment to remain in the race while categorically denying the accusations against him. The video was released amid turmoil among political operatives in North Carolina and beyond over the impending CNN report.
“Let me reassure you, the things that you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson,” he stated in the video, accusing his opponent, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, of leaking information to CNN. “Folks, this race right now, our opponents are desperate to shift the focus here from the substantive issues and focus on what you are concerned with to salacious tabloid trash.”
In response to the CNN report, at least one notable North Carolina Republican, Rep. Richard Hudson, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, commented that "the allegations are very concerning."
“He says they're not true,” Hudson added. “I think he needs to assure the people of the state with a little more detail that they aren't true.”
Josh Stein’s campaign released a statement asserting that “North Carolinians already know Mark Robinson is completely unfit to be governor,” emphasizing that Stein is focused on winning the campaign to foster a safer, stronger North Carolina for all.
Robinson, who has gained attention as a conservative figure during his time as lieutenant governor and faced backlash for controversial remarks regarding women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and various groups, is currently trailing in the polls.
It remains uncertain whether Robinson's declining numbers are affecting Trump's standing in the state, though the former president is in a competitive race against Kamala Harris in North Carolina, while Robinson's chances appear to diminish.
Trump won North Carolina in both of the previous presidential elections, albeit by a narrow margin of just over 1 point in 2020, while Democrat Roy Cooper secured the governor's office both times.
An internal poll commissioned by Trump’s campaign reportedly shows Robinson trailing Stein by 14 percentage points, with Trump leading Harris by 3 points in North Carolina, according to an individual familiar with the polling. Public polling has consistently shown Robinson behind Stein, sometimes by as much as 14 points.
Trump’s campaign representatives declined to comment on the internal poll's reported results.
Two individuals with knowledge of the situation, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, informed PMG that there has been no pressure from the Trump campaign for Robinson to withdraw from the race or to avoid attending Trump’s rallies in the state, despite conflicting reports.
Trump is scheduled to hold a rally on Saturday in Wilmington, North Carolina. Robinson was last seen with Trump at an event in Asheboro, North Carolina, on August 21, where Trump invited local sheriffs on stage, without specifically asking Robinson to join him.
Nicholas Wu contributed to this report.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
