Mark Robinson Ends Political Career After Dropping CNN Defamation Lawsuit

The former North Carolina lieutenant governor cites personal costs and political pressures in his decision to retire from public life.

Mark Robinson announced he is dropping a defamation lawsuit against CNN over allegations related to offensive comments on a pornographic website.
Robinson, the 2024 Republican gubernatorial candidate for North Carolina, lost the election to Democrat Josh Stein last year.
CNN reported that Robinson allegedly posted inflammatory and lewd comments on a porn site between 2008 and 2012, which he denied.
Robinson stated that the personal and financial toll on his family influenced his decision to end litigation and retire from politics.
He confirmed he will not run for Senate in 2026 or seek any elected office in the future, choosing instead to focus on advocacy from outside the political arena.