2 Sources
[1]
Column | Mark Robinson offers up the 2024 version of the I-was-hacked defense
One of the least credible ways in which North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R) attempted to dismiss Thursday's report about wildly offensive comments he made on the message board of a pornographic site years ago was that it didn't sound like him. "This is not my voice," he told CNN's Andrew
[2]
NC governor candidate cries AI fabrication as defense for racist porn forum posts
Mark Robinson's claims of AI-generated slander show that the "deep doubt era" is upon us. On Thursday, CNN broke news about inflammatory comments made by Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor of North Carolina, on a pornography website's message board over a decade ago. After the
Share
Copy Link
Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for North Carolina governor, is embroiled in a scandal involving alleged racist and sexually explicit comments from his past. Robinson claims the posts are AI-generated fabrications.

Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for North Carolina governor, has found himself at the center of a heated controversy following the emergence of alleged racist and sexually explicit comments from his past. The comments, which date back to 2018, were reportedly made on online forums and have sparked intense debate about their authenticity and potential impact on Robinson's gubernatorial campaign
1
.In response to the allegations, Robinson has vehemently denied authorship of the controversial posts. His campaign has taken an unusual stance, claiming that the comments are "AI-generated fabrications" created to discredit him. This defense has raised eyebrows among both political observers and technology experts, given the timeline of the posts and the state of AI technology in 2018
2
.The story gained national attention after CNN conducted an investigation into Robinson's online activities. The news outlet reported finding numerous posts attributed to Robinson on various forums, including sexually explicit content and racist remarks. CNN claims to have verified the authenticity of these posts through multiple methods, including cross-referencing usernames, email addresses, and the content of the messages
1
.Experts in artificial intelligence have weighed in on Robinson's defense, pointing out that the technology required to generate such specific and contextually relevant forum posts was not widely available in 2018. The sophistication needed to create fake posts that align with Robinson's known views and writing style would have been beyond the capabilities of most AI systems at that time
2
.The controversy has significant implications for the North Carolina gubernatorial race. Robinson, who has been a polarizing figure due to his outspoken conservative views, now faces increased scrutiny from both political opponents and the media. The Democratic Party has called for Robinson to address the allegations directly, while some Republican supporters have rallied behind his claims of a smear campaign
1
.Related Stories
The public response to the controversy has been mixed, with social media platforms buzzing with discussions about the authenticity of the posts and the plausibility of Robinson's AI fabrication claims. Some supporters view the allegations as a politically motivated attack, while critics argue that Robinson's defense lacks credibility given the technological context of 2018
2
.As the story continues to unfold, both journalists and tech experts are digging deeper into the claims and counterclaims. The controversy has sparked a broader discussion about the intersection of politics, technology, and media accountability in an era where the line between fact and fiction can sometimes blur
1
2
.Summarized by
Navi
04 Sept 2025•Policy and Regulation

28 Mar 2026•Entertainment and Society

20 Sept 2024

1
Science and Research

2
Policy and Regulation

3
Technology