Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., on Sunday mentioned GOP gubernatorial candidate and North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is “the antithesis of all the things that Dr. [Martin Luther] King represented,” describing him as “white supremacy in blackface.”
In an interview on MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki,” Warnock blasted Robinson, who was the topic of a CNN report final week that mentioned he as soon as made a number of lewd feedback on a pornographic web site through which he expressed assist for slavery, referred to himself as a “black NAZI,” described Martin Luther King Jr. as “worse than a maggot” and mentioned that if “he was within the KKK” he would’ve known as the late civil rights chief “Martin Luther Koon.” Robinson has denied the report.
“[Robinson] talks about his want to convey slavery again. I imply, this speak is approach past the pale. Calling himself a black Nazi. These are his phrases,” Warnock informed Psaki.
Warnock mirrored on Robinson’s phrases, highlighting that he’s the present pastor on the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Georgia, the place King served as co-pastor from 1960 till he was assassinated in 1968.
The senator additionally tied Robinson to former President Donald Trump, saying, “The folks of North Carolina have to pay attention to the truth that that is Donald Trump’s candidate.”
Warnock accused Trump of backing Robinson for a similar causes Trump backed Warnock’s opponent, former skilled soccer participant Herschel Walker, in 2022.
“[Trump] tried this in my race. This will not be the primary time he has put ahead a Black candidate who’s unfit and unqualified to serve with this cynical notion that by some means the citizens shall be confused about who this individual represents,” Warnock mentioned.
Trump hasn’t spoken about Robinson for the reason that CNN story got here out, however beforehand praised him a number of instances. Robinson was notably lacking from Trump’s rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Saturday.
During a rally final month in Asheboro, North Carolina, Trump wished Robinson luck and informed attendees, “Mark’s bought to win. He’s bought to win. Got to win. He’s an excellent man.”
In March, throughout a pre-Super Tuesday rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, Trump mentioned Robinson is “Martin Luther King on steroids.”
“I informed that to Mark. I mentioned, I feel you’re higher than Martin Luther King. I feel you’re Martin Luther King instances two,” the previous president mentioned on the time.
NBC News reported final week that regardless of going through stress from allies and people inside his personal marketing campaign, there aren’t any plans for the previous president to formally drop his endorsement of Robinson.