North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson announced on Tuesday that he plans to sue CNN over a recent report linking him to adult websites and white supremacist message boards. The announcement, made during a press conference, quickly escalated into a contentious exchange with reporters.
Robinson made a brief statement before turning the floor over to his lawyer for questions. However, the press soon put the two on the defensive.
In a video clip from the press conference, an unnamed reporter could be heard challenging Robinson’s claim, asking, “So you’re saying that a national, a global news organization is conspiring with a third-party outfit to throw an election which was already looking like this person was not going to win?”
Another reporter questioned why, if Robinson had the evidence he claimed, he was standing alongside only his lawyer and not backed by supportive Republican colleagues. This raised doubts about the strength of his allegations.
In another clip shared by the progressive super PAC American Bridge, Robinson did not directly deny the allegations made by CNN. Instead, he described the story as “one of the greatest examples of political interference in this state’s history,” avoiding any outright claim that the report was false.
Legal experts have expressed skepticism about Robinson’s lawsuit, noting that it could backfire by giving CNN access to his personal information during the discovery process. This element of the lawsuit has drawn particular attention, as the discovery phase would likely involve revealing information that could either support or undermine Robinson’s defense.
Robinson’s decision to sue has sparked significant debate, both about the legitimacy of the allegations and the broader political implications in North Carolina. As the lieutenant governor faces mounting scrutiny, this legal battle could have far-reaching consequences for his political future.