Vance on new claims against Mark Robinson: ‘Allegations aren’t necessarily reality’

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), former President Trump’s running mate, would not say Saturday whether he believes North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R) when he says he did not post the inflammatory comments linked to him in CNN’s new bombshell reporting.

“Well, look, the allegations are pretty far out there, of course, but I know that allegations aren’t necessarily reality,” Vance said when asked by an NBC Philadelphia reporter whether he’s comfortable with Robinson remaining the GOP gubernatorial candidate, despite the recent allegations.

“And what I’d say is it’s ultimately up to Mark Robinson and North Carolina whether he’s going to be their governor and whether he wants to stay in the race,” Vance continued. “I’ll let them make that decision.”

CNN published an explosive report Thursday about Robinson, revealing a wide range of inflammatory comments that he allegedly made on a pornography website more than 10 years ago, including calling himself a “black NAZI” and wishing for slavery to be reinstated.

An account with the username “minisoldr” made the posts, and CNN identified that account as Robinson’s. CNN noted Robinson’s full name was listed on the account, that he used an email address and a username that were connected to Robinson elsewhere, and that the account listed biographical details that CNN said lined up with his background.

Robinson has adamantly denied the reporting and said he is committed to staying in the race, even as some in his own party have raised concerns about the viability of his campaign. He also released a preemptive video to the social platform X shortly before the article’s publication, denying the allegations in the forthcoming story and blaming his Democratic opponent for leaking it.

Asked whether he believes Robinson’s claim that the posts were not his, Vance said Saturday, “I don’t not believe him. I don’t believe him. I just think that you have to let these things sometimes play out in the court of public opinion.”

“He’s going to make whatever arguments he wants to make. I’m sure the news media and others are going to investigate these comments further,” Vance continued. “I just think that fundamentally, it’s Mark Robinson and the people of North Carolina that get to decide whether he’s their governor, and that’s what we’re going to focus on.”

The Hill has contacted Vance’s staff for comment.