North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson endorses Trump

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson on Friday endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, a sign of the former president’s continued strength among evangelical voters.

Speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition Conference in Washington, Robinson, a pastor who was elected to his current office in 2020, said the country needed a leader who would "put America first" and prioritize American interests.

“This nation needs a fighter, someone who is willing to go onto the world stage walking boldly, strongly, waving the American flag saying, ‘the Americans are here, and we are in charge again and we are going to lead this world into the future with freedom,’” Robinson said. “That is why, on this stage, today, I am endorsing Donald J. Trump.”

The announcement comes just a week after Robinson held off on formally endorsing Trump in an interview with a Charlotte, N.C. radio station. “President Trump is a guy for me,” Robinson said June 16. “But I don’t discount any of the candidates. And I’m not necessarily — right now, at this moment — ready to endorse anybody.”

Robinson, who has been embroiled in controversies over past antisemitic and homophobic remarks, is the presumed frontrunner in the Republican gubernatorial primary, polling ahead of rivals Dale Folwell, the state’s treasurer, and former Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.) for the GOP nomination next year. Democrats are hoping Robinson’s past remarks will weaken him against their presumptive candidate, Attorney General Josh Stein.

Trump has repeatedly praised Robinson at rallies in North Carolina and essentially endorsed Robinson in a speech at the North Carolina Republican Convention earlier this month. “I’m going to endorse Mark, but I’m not going to tell you about it tonight, OK?” Trump said on June 10. “We’ll save it for another time. But you can count on it, Mark. Congratulations. Great job. You’ve been doing a fantastic job.”