NC's Robinson is 'better than' MLK, Trump says in Mar-a-Lago speech
Former President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson during an event Tuesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, comparing Robinson to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Robinson, a Republican, is considered the front-runner for the GOP nomination for governor. During remarks at a gathering of Robinson supporters, Trump described an encounter after the two had met. During the exchange, Trump commented on Robinson's strong speaking style. “I said, ‘You know what? I swear I think you're better than Dr. Martin Luther King,’ And I wasn't sure if he was happy about that. Dr. Martin Luther King was great. And I think he didn't like that comparison but he accepted it. But [Robinson] gives some speeches that were so incredible.”
A video of Trump’s speech was posted Tuesday on social media.
Robinson, a fiery speaker who captivates conservative audiences, became North Carolina's first Black lieutenant governor when he was first elected in 2020, due in large part to his fame from a 2018 viral video talking about gun rights. He had never held political office before his 2020 victory. Robinson was endorsed this month by state Senate leader Phil Berger.
Robinson had support from 34% of GOP primary voters in a recent East Carolina University poll. The poll showed Salisbury lawyer Bill Graham (8%) in second, followed by state Treasurer Dale Folwell (7%) and Andy Wells (3%), a real estate developer and former state senator. But 49% of GOP voters said they were still undecided. And if no candidate wins more than 30% of the total vote in a crowded primary, it goes to a runoff between only the top two finishers.
Graham, who has spent heavily on statewide television ads, has gained in recent weeks. He earned the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, last week.
Like Trump, Robinson is a highly polarizing figure, earning himself staunch critics as well as passionate supporters inside and outside his party. In social media posts and podcast appearances, he has advanced Holocaust denialism and conspiracy theories about Jewish people — a history he’s tried to counteract in recent months with a trip to Israel amid the Israel-Hamas war. Robinson is also vocally anti-gay, telling one church audience in March that the reason God created him was to fight against LGBTQ issues. He enjoys massive support among evangelical Christians and pro-gun activists, two key parts of the GOP base.
“He's going to go down as one of the great leaders in our country — one of the greatest leaders.” Trump said of Robinson during the Tuesday event, adding: “He's outstanding in presentation, but he's probably even more outstanding in heart and the understanding of people and what you need and getting things done.”
Folwell, the state treasurer who is also seeking the GOP nomination, said on social media Wednesday that Trump is wrong to support Robinson.
“Looking at his remarks, he seems unaware that he's endorsing a lawless, AWOL individual who denies the Holocaust, hates women and continues to fleece the taxpayers and donors of North Carolina,” Folwell said on X, formerly know as Twitter. “North Carolinians desire & deserve courage, not rage. I’m the only candidate with a history of results and more to offer than empty soundbites.”
Robinson’s campaign didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Robinson and Trump have expressed mutual support over the past few years. Last year, Trump referred to Robinson as a “friend” during a rally in Wilmington, adding: “Whatever you’re running for let me know, I want to give you a real early endorsement.”
At the North Carolina GOP convention on June 10, Trump heaped praise on Robinson and again promised to eventually endorse him. Days later, Robinson endorsed Trump, who is seeking the Republican nomination for president.
Trump has focused on candidates in North Carolina, where he narrowly beat President Joe Biden in 2020. Biden has also set his sights on North Carolina. On Wednesday, Biden launched a new ad campaign focused on Hispanic voters.
Trump, meanwhile, endorsed lobbyist Addison McDowell Wednesday in McDowell’s campaign for a Greensboro-area congressional seat — a blow to candidate Bo Hines, who was endorsed by Trump in 2022, and former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, who is seeking a return to Congress.
WRAL state government reporters Travis Fain and Will Doran contributed to this report.
