Robinson’s campaign manager and finance director are among those leaving, as the embattled candidate vows to continue in the race.

Robinson denied the CNN report, which said he referred to himself as a "black NAZI" and expressed support for bringing back slavery more than 10 years ago.

Republicans in North Carolina have abandoned all hope of winning the governor’s race or of trying to clean up their nominee’s tainted image. But the scandal surrounding Mark Robinson is only intensifying the presidential candidates fight for the southern swing state, where Donald Trump is scheduled to campaign on Saturday.

Mark Robinson, center, greets people as he arrives at a campaign event in Asheboro, N.C., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. Robinson is the Republican candidate for N.C. governor. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) | AP Top staff on Mark Robinson’s campaign team have resigned from their roles,

While JD Vance sounded somewhat willing to believe Robinson's denial, Sen. Lindsey Graham called the reports "beyond unnerving."

Donald Trump sidestepped the controversy over online comments linked to North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson at a campaign event in the state Saturday.

The former president did not mention Mr. Robinson, the state’s embattled Republican nominee for governor, whom he once called “Martin Luther King on steroids.”

It may be difficult for Trump to repudiate Robinson for reportedly calling for the return of slavery on a porn site, given that he has referred to Robinson as “better than Martin Luther King [Jr.].”