¶ Mark Robinson hypocritcally attacked abortion despite paying for an abortion
Mark Robinson was an anti-abortion extremist who frequently made outlandish and contradictory remarks about abortion, despite previously paying for an abortion. Robinson has been captured on video referring to abortion as “murder” and claimed “we killed the cure to cancer in an abortion clinic.” Robinson insinuated that mass shootings were America’s punishment for allowing abortion, and he compared liberals to Nazis because of their support for abortion rights. Robinson preached abstinence, but he paid for his now-wife to have an abortion a year prior to their wedding. Robinson supported the most extreme policies attacking abortion, including banning all abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest. He celebrated North Carolina’s new 12-week abortion ban and took credit for the ban after it became law and expressed support for a “heartbeat bill,” which typically meant a six-week ban.
¶ Robinson Made Numerous Extreme Claims On Abortion, Calling It “Murder” And Saying, “We Killed The Cure To Cancer In An Abortion Clinic”
¶ Robinson Said Abortion Was “Murder” Regardless Of Whether It Was Performed at 24 Hours Or 24 Weeks
¶ Robinson Repeatedly Said Abortion Was Murder
Robinson: “Abortion Is Murder.” According to Robinson at Berean Baptist Church, “Abortion is murder. I must say this to you. Abortion is murder. And I don't care who doesn't like it.” [Berean Baptist Church, 10/11/20] (VIDEO)
Robinson Said Abortion Was Murder Regardless Of Whether It Was Performed At 24 Hours Or 24 Weeks. According to Robinson at Lake Church, “You know, I ain’t supposed to say this, but I’m gonna say it. I don’t care whether you just got pregnant, I don't care if you’re twenty-four hours pregnant. I don't care if you're 24 weeks pregnant. I don't care. If you kill that youngin. it is murder. You’ve got blood on your hands.” [Lake Church, 7/11/21] (VIDEO)
Robinson: “I’m Not Going To Call It Abortion. I’m Going To Call It Murder, Because That’s What It Is.” According to Robinson at Lake Church, “I don't care whether it's in this church or whether it's standing on the debate stage with some political opponent I might have. You ask me about abortion, I'm not going to call it abortion. I'm going to call it murder, because that's what it is.” [Lake Church, 7/11/21] (VIDEO)
Robinson: “Then They Tell Me As A Political Candidate, I'm Not Supposed To Say Murder. Abortion Is Murder. I Must Say This To You. Abortion Is Murder.” According to Robinson at Berean Baptist Church, “Right now, I don't believe God is pleased with the way we treated not born in this nation. When the Supreme Court decided it was the supreme being that said that it gets to decide. We get to decide whether or not human beings have a right to life. God was not pleased and he had been pleased ever since the millions of children have been murdered in abortion clinics around this nation. Then they tell me as a political candidate, I'm not supposed to say murder. Abortion is murder. I must say this to you. Abortion is murder. And I don't care who doesn't like it. It's time for somebody to be an adult in this nation to stand up and tell the truth and be unafraid.” [Berean Baptist Church, 10/11/2020] (VIDEO)
¶ Robinson Referred To Abortion Providers As “Butchers Of Humanity” And Said They Should be Held Responsible For “Murder”
Robinson Insinuated That Abortion Providers Were “Butchers Of Humanity” And Said They Should Be Held Responsible For “Murder.” According to Robinson at a Right To Life Rally, “Let me just go ahead and say this. Those mothers who were caught in bad situations that make bad mistakes, I do not hold them accountable. I cannot hold them accountable. I call the butchers of humanity. Those are the people I hold responsible. And whether they like it or not, God Almighty is watching them too. I pray a solemn prayer somewhere along the line that their hearts would be touched, their minds would be turned away, and they would come to know that what they are doing is against humanity and is against our father in heaven, because in the end, that's what we've got to answer to. That's right. You see, I'm I'm what they call a politician they call me a politician, but I refuse to call myself that. And in some ways, I refuse to play the political game. A lot of people me don't say abortion is murder. Guess what? Abortion is murder.” [Right to Life Rally, 5/12/20] (VIDEO)
- Robinson Said, “[Doctors] Can Go Inside Those Women’s Bellies And Murder Those Children, Don’t Ever Stick Your Hand Out To Shake My Hand.” According to Robinson at the Gaston Crisis Pregnancy Center Fundraiser, “See, that is why it's so important that we stand up for life, see that girl that we see walking, that young lady that we see walking down the street? With that child in the womb, we don’t know who that is. You didn't make that child. You don't have that child's destiny in your hand. Now I’m gonna go ahead and tell you like this, those doctors out there – they can go inside those women's bellies and murder those children. Don't ever stick your hand out to shake my hand. Because we can get right down to brass tacks, all we want to. I'm about to make somebody real nervous here, cause here it is. Abortion is murder. It is murder of the most innocent. And if this nation continues to cosign on it, God will take his hand off this nation and leave us to our own devices.” [Gaston Crisis Pregnancy Center Fundraiser, 3/10/22] (VIDEO)
¶ Robinson Blamed Mass Shootings On Abortion, Compared Abortion To Slavery, And Claimed We “Killed The Cure To Cancer In An Abortion Clinic”
¶ Robinson Claimed “We Have Killed The Cure To Cancer In An Abortion Clinic”
Robinson: “God Knows How Many Times We Have Killed The Cure To Cancer In An Abortion Clinic.” According to Robinson at a NC Right To Life rally, “Life is wonderful and the right to life should be given to every human being who is conceived. That child was conceived and created by God because before we were born, he had numbered every hair on our head and already had our destiny planted and planned out. Who are we to take that destiny away at some abortion clinic? God knows how many times we have killed the cure to cancer in an abortion clinic. God knows how many times we have to killed a dynamic peacemaker in the womb. God knows how many times we have killed great statesmen and doctors and lawyers in the womb. The cure to many of our ills in society may have been discarded in the waste of abortion clinics around this country.” [NC Right to Life, 1/14/23] (VIDEO)
¶ Robinson Said Mass Shootings Were “Karma” For The United States Allowing Abortions
Robinson Said Mass Shootings Were “Karma” For The United States Allowing Abortions. According to Media Matters For America, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the leading candidate for the Republican nomination for governor, said in 2019 that the prevalence of mass shootings in the United States is ‘karma’ for allowing abortions. He added: ‘When you spill that innocent blood, that blood is going to come back as a stain on you and it's going to come home to roost.”’ [MMFA, 5/12/23]
¶ Robinson Compared Abortion To Slavery And Equated Liberals To Nazis Over Their Disregard For “Life In The Womb”
Robinson Said, “Abortion Is Not Compatible With This Nation, The Same Way Slavery Was Not Compatible With This Nation.” According to The Charlotte Observer, “Robinson went on to say that ‘abortion is not compatible with this nation, the same way slavery was not compatible with this nation. We speak of life and liberty, how can you have life and liberty if you end life in the womb, and do not give people their freedom after they’re born? This nation is built on those ideals. And so we have to stand up for life.’” [Charlotte Observer, 1/14/23]
Robinson Compared Liberals To Nazis Because Of Their Disregard "For Life In The Womb." According to CNN, "A CNN review of past comments from the lieutenant governor make his feelings on abortion clear. He once told a crowd that ' these people that think that abortion, for expedience’s sake, is the right answer, have just as much reprobate minds as the slave owners on the plantations.' Robinson posted on Facebook in 2019 that then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo 'pushes the satanic agenda of child sacrifice through abortion by claiming it advances women’s ‘rights,’ and, in a separate Facebook Live conversation, compared liberals to the Nazis by saying, 'The biggest way that you see that is in their disregard for, for life in the womb they don’t even consider to be life.'" [CNN, 5/20/23]
Robinson Said He Would Not Be Surprised If Margaret Sanger And Her Contemporaries Were "Satanists, Involved In Witchcraft." According to CNN, "Robinson has also said that the word abortion itself is 'sanitizing' and removes the “blood stain” from the procedure and, speaking of birth control pioneer Margaret Sanger and her contemporaries, he said, 'It would not shock me one bit if they were not satanists, involved in witchcraft.'" [CNN, 5/20/23]
¶ Robinson Said Abortion Was A “Spiritual Stain” That Would “Bring Damnation To This Country”
Robinson Warned “We’re Going To Have Trouble In This Nation” So Long As Abortion Is Allowed. According to Robinson at Upper Room Church of God In Christ, “We need to beat a generation of people that stands up and ends that terrible institution of abortion. And I'm not ashamed to tell you and I'm not ashamed to tell WRAL abortion is murder. And until we stop it, we're going to have trouble in this nation.” [Upper Room Church of God In Christ, 8/4/21] (VIDEO)
Robinson Said Abortion Was A “Spiritual Stain” That Would “Bring Damnation To This Country.” According to Robinson at a Republican Women of Pitt County event, “But the number one thing I'm most passionate about in this country right now is the abortion issue. And what was I going to say this and I don't care who gets mad about. I am 100 percent, 100 percent pro-life. And then I don't believe there's ever a reason to murder a child. Abortion is a spiritual stain on this nation. And as long as we continue to sanction the murder of the most innocent human beings on this earth, we are going to continue to bring damnation to this country. We have got to stand up and stop this scourge on our nation. We've got to stop. People always ask me, what do you plan on doing with all these unwanted babies? It's not a matter what we do with the unwanted babies. We need to do away with the unnecessary sexual debauchery that exists in our society. We need to start telling our young people to be responsible with their bodies. Keep your skirts down on your pants up until you're ready to be married. That's the message we need to be sending.” [Republican Women of Pitt County, 3/1/20] (AUDIO)
¶ Robinson Preached Abstinence And Claimed Abortion Was Primarily Used As A Form of Birth Control
¶ Robinson Promoted Abstinence-Only Education
Robinson Said, “If You Don’t Want To Have No Fruit In That Womb, Don’t Drop Your Fruit Of The Looms.” According to Robinson at Upper Room Church Of God In Christ, “And if you kill that child, you're guilty of murder. Stop sacrificing your children to bail and start honoring the fruit of your womb. You know, I heard somebody say this. If you don't want to have no fruit in that womb, don't drop your Fruit of the Looms. Make your choice before you make your choice. This ain't no game, this ain't no game. God is watching this nation and the most innocent among us are the defenseless and the voiceless in the womb. And we are murdering them with impunity.” [Upper Room Church Of God In Christ, 8/4/21] (VIDEO)
Robinson Said Young People Should Not Be Taught They Can “Go Out And Do As They Please And Then Go Out And Kill The Baby Because They Found Themselves ‘In Trouble.’” According to Robinson on the John Soloon Report Podcast, “Here's what I'd like to do. I would like to get back to young people how to be responsible with their bodies, not teaching our young people that they could go out and do as they please and then go out and kill the baby because they found themselves ‘in trouble.’ We always talk about empowering our young, empowering our young women, empowering our young men. If we want to empower our young people, the very thing that we need to empower them with is a sense of responsibility over their own bodies. And that responsibility does not start with going to the abortion clinic. It starts with being responsible about whether or not you're going to engage in activity that causes you to get pregnant.” [John Solomon Reports, 7/3/22] (AUDIO)
Robinson Said, “You Don’t Lay Down And Act Like You’re Making A Baby Until You’re Ready To Have A Baby.” According to Robinson at Hilltop Baptist Church, "The second reason why it’s full is for this. You see, in this age of information, we use a lot of information. One of the things we love to tell our young women, men and women, is we want to empower you so that you can be strong in society. Particularly, we love to tell our young women that. We want to empower you. We want to help you to build up your mind so you could be empowered. Here's a novel idea. Why don't you use some of that building up of your mind and building up of empowerment to move down here to this region down here, get this under control. See for this region right here, that's the only region on your body that can make life and take life. If there’s anything we need to be telling our young people is they need to be responsible with their reproductive systems. That means you don't lay down and act like you're making a baby till you're ready to have a baby. All this giving out of birth control and advising people how, and ‘well you see if you do it this way, you won't have a baby, if you do it that way.’ Here's how you don't have a baby. You don't have what you do to make a baby until you're ready to have that baby. You be responsible with your body. That's a novel ideal. Has not reached our school system, sadly." [Hilltop Baptist Church, 1/23/22] (VIDEO)
Robinson Said A Woman’s Right To Choose Entailed “Deciding Whether Or Not You Will Be Chaste With Your Body And Wise With Your Decisions.” According to Robinson at a Right To Life Rally, “You know, it's amazing to me how those on the left give these nice, flowery names to the most egregious acts. A woman's right to choose is what they call it. Here's a woman's right to choose. Here's that so-called women’s health care to take a defenseless human being, blameless on this earth, innocent blood, scramble that baby’s brains and discard that child, that human being, like trash. That is what they call a woman's right to choose. Here is what the right to choose really entails. What the right to choose really entails is deciding whether or not you will be chaste with your body and wise with your decisions, knowing when it is time and when it is not time to lay down and make a child.” [Right To Life Rally, 5/12/20] (VIDEO)
¶ Robinson Claimed Abortion Was Used As A Form Of Birth Control “Up To Late Term” Of Pregnancy
Robinson Said, “Abortion Has Become A Form Of Birth Control All The Way Up To Late Term Abortion.” According to Robinson on Inside Politics, “I think that is something that we certainly need to discuss, that we need to add it to the discussion, because as my personal opinion is this, if I was a pastor who was counseling a young person or anyone who was in that position, I would urge that person to keep their child. But in the end, that decision is going to have to be that person’s if abortion is legal. I feel the same way in the law. Now, the reason why I say that I don't want this pushed to the forefront is because of the issue that we're where we're at right now. We're talking about the issue of rape and incest right now. That is not the major. That is not what we're talking about. We talk about abortion on demand in this country. Abortion has become a form of birth control all the way up to late term abortion. That is the issue here. And we need to focus on that.” [Inside Politics, 9/20/22] (AUDIO)
Robinson Claimed “The Overwhelming Majority Of People Who Go Inside The Abortion Clinics Are Not Going Because Of Some Trouble They Face, Rape Or Incest, It’s Because Of Convenience.” According to Robinson at Concerned Moravians Church, “So that's the self-evident truth that needs to be told. And I'm not afraid to tell it. You see, because when we start talking about the issue of abortion in this country, we love to throw up the smokescreen, ‘what about rape and incest.’ Here it is, we're not talking about people having to make tough decisions because of rape and incest. They know it and we know it. What we're talking about is what we built in this nation. A system where we use the murdering of infants for birth control. That is what we're talking about. We know it, the overwhelming majority of people who go inside the abortion clinics are going not because of some trouble they face, rape or incest, it’s because of convenience.” [Concerned Moravians, 5/14/22] (VIDEO)
Robinson Said, “We’ve Set A Standard In This Country Where Abortion Is Being Used As Birth Control.” According to Robinson on Inside Politics, “Abortions are carried out for a myriad of reasons. But again, we've set a standard in this country where abortion is being used as birth control. We can’t, I don't believe we should allow it.” [Inside Politics, 9/20/22] (AUDIO)
Robinson Claimed Women Did Not Get Abortions Primarily Because Of Rape Or Incest, But Because They Needed To “Get Out Of Trouble” After Wanting To “Feel Good” In The Bedroom. According to Robinson at the NC GOP Convention, “See, because in this country, we're not talking about a bunch of people who go down to the abortion clinic because they've been raped or because they've been a victim of incest. We're talking about a culture that we have created in this society that tells you when you want to feel good, go on, go in there and lay down and do your thing. If you get in little trouble, it's alright to murder somebody to get out of it. It is not. It is not ok. You wanna talk about responsibility? Responsibility starts right here, and that's what we need to be telling our young people. The most important decision you will make in your life, save for the fact of whether you will go to heaven or hell, is when you will make children and you need to take that serious. You need to be the one in control of your body. And once you make a baby, it's not your body anymore, it’s y’alls’ body. And yes, that includes the daddy. She’s not your baby momma anymore. She ought to be your wife. Don’t be running around talking about, ‘well I couldn’t stay with her she was crazy.’ Was she crazy when you made the baby? Well, then she’ll be crazy while y’all are at home taking care of the baby. Simple math here. Nothing complicated, but I've never capitulated on that and I don't care who it hurts, because I'm tired of the foolishness. Abortion will bring a spiritual and physical stain to this country. I guarantee it. If we continue to kill these babies, it won’t matter anything else we do or say.” [NC GOP Convention, 5/19/22] (VIDEO)
¶ Robinson Paid For His Wife To Receive An Abortion But Wanted To Deny Others The Right To Choose
¶ 1989: Robinson Paid For His Wife To Have An Abortion A Year Before They Married
Robinson Admitted That He Paid For His Wife To Have An Abortion In 1989, One Year Before They Were Married. According to The News & Observer, “North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson confirmed on Thursday that his wife had an abortion before they were married, saying the couple made the decision together. In a video posted on Facebook, Robinson said the decision he and his wife made to terminate her pregnancy was ‘the hardest decision we have ever made, and sadly, we made the wrong one.’ ‘This decision has been with us ever since,’ Robinson said while sitting next to his wife, Yolanda Robinson, who did not speak in the video […] The abortion took place in 1989, a year before he and his wife got married. Robinson mentioned it in a Facebook comment in August 2012. The comment surfaced this week after a screenshot of it was shared by an unnamed Twitter user. ‘I’m not saying abortion is wrong cause I said so it’s wrong cause God says so. It’s wrong when others do it and it was wrong when I paid for it to be done to my unborn child in 1989,’ the comment, posted from Robinson’s personal account, said.” [News & Observer, 3/24/22]
Business Insider: Robinson Was “Known For His Strict Stances On Abortion Despite Personally Admitting To Paying For One Decades Ago.” According to Business Insider, “Former President Donald Trump invited North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson to Mar-a-Lago for a ‘special event’ on Tuesday. Robinson, the frontrunner in North Carolina's gubernatorial race, is known for his strict stances on abortion despite personally admitting to paying for one decades ago. Trump's willingness to appear alongside Robinson is notable as abortion issues increasingly divide — and mobilize — voters.” [Business Insider, 12/12/23]
The Assembly: Robinson “Called For A Total Prohibition On Abortion, Despite Paying For One Himself.” According to The Assembly, “Some Republicans, however, are concerned about Robinson as their standard-bearer in 2024. His denouncements of LGBTQ rights and assertion that K-12 education on race and sexuality are ‘indoctrination’ have captured headlines within the state and beyond. He’s also called for a total prohibition on abortion, despite paying for one himself.” [Assembly, 2/5/23]
¶ Robinson Pledged To Enact A Complete Ban On Abortion As Governor, But Later Tried To Walk Back His Statements
¶ Robinson Was “100% Against Abortion” And Pledged To Sign An Abortion Ban With No Exceptions For Rape Or Incest
¶ Robinson Was “100% Against Abortion” And He Repeatedly Said There Were No Circumstances In Which He Thought Abortion Was Acceptable
When Asked If There Were Any Circumstances In Which An Abortion Would Be Acceptable, Robinson Responded, “I Do Not Believe So.” According to Robinson at the Life Wins 2020 Tour, “I do not believe so. I believe that all life is precious. I believe that the right to life. the, the, the life that we speak of, the right to life that we speak of in our founding documents. It begins at conception. I'm a person of strong faith. God tells us, he knows before we performed in the room. If that's good enough for God, it's good enough for me. To our true creed in this nation that we have to live up to that true creed for the Unborn. The same way we had to live up to that true creed for black people in this country. When it came to slavery, we had to end slavery for the cause of liberty. And we have to end abortion for the cause of life.” [Life Wins 2020 Tour, 9/4/20] (VIDEO)
2023: Robinson Said, “I Am 100% Against Abortion.” According to Robinson at Turkey Cove Baptist Church, “I don't have a problem telling people where I stand on abortion. I am 100% against abortion. As a Christian, God calls me to be 100% against it. Why? Because I know the pain that it brings to people. I know what it steals from you. I know that it can steal your joy, it can steal your peace in the middle of the night. It can cause you guilt. It stops a beating heart. I know that personally, I have experienced it. For me to sit silent and let others go through that horrible experience without warning them about the freight train that is coming outta the tracks puts blood on my hands again, by allowing young people to go blindly into those clinics and make the worst mistake they will ever make in their lives. I'm 100% against it.” [Turkey Cove Baptist Church, 5/16/23] (AUDIO)
2023: Robinson Said, “I Don’t Believe In Abortion Under Any Circumstances” And He “Would Love To See Abortion Outlawed.” According to Robinson on Let’s Think About That Podcast, “I'm still a staunch defender of life. I would love to see abortion outlawed. I make no qualms about that, that I don't believe in abortion under any circumstances.” [Let’s Think About That Podcast, 4/20/23] (AUDIO)
Robinson: “There Is No Compromise On Abortion. It Makes No Difference To Me Why Or How That Child Ended Up In That Womb.” According to Robinson at Winkler’s Grove Baptist Church, “For me, there is no compromise on abortion. It makes no difference to me why or how that child ended up in that womb. That child deserves his life.” [Winkler’s Grove Baptist Church, 7/5/20] (VIDEO)
¶ Robinson Said That As Governor, He Would Sign A Total Abortion Ban, Calling Exceptions For Rape And Incest A “Smokescreen”
Business Insider: Robinson Said “If Given The Opportunity As Governor, He'd Quickly Sign A Total Ban On Abortions With No Exceptions For Women In Victims Of Incest Or Rape.” According to Business Insider, “In February, the lieutenant governor said in an interview that if given the opportunity as governor, he'd quickly sign a total ban on abortions with no exceptions for women in victims of incest or rape. As Rolling Stone reported in July, Robinson appears to have changed the way he speaks about abortion in public since the North Carolina state legislature muscled through a restrictive ban on abortions after 12 weeks in May much to the chagrin of state voters. A GOP-led General Assembly overrode a veto of the ban from the state's governor, Democrat Roy Cooper.” [Business Insider, 12/12/23]
Robinson Said Rape And Incest Were A “Smokescreen.” According to Robinson at Concerned Moravians Church, “So that's the self-evident truth that needs to be told. And I'm not afraid to tell it. You see, because when we start talking about the issue of abortion in this country, we love to throw up the smokescreen, ‘what about rape and incest.’ Here it is, we're not talking about people having to make tough decisions because of rape and incest. They know it and we know it. What we're talking about is what we built in this nation. A system where we use the murdering of infants for birth control. That is what we're talking about. We know it, the overwhelming majority of people who go inside the abortion clinics are going not because of some trouble they face, rape or incest, it’s because of convenience.” [Concerned Moravians, 5/14/22] (VIDEO)
WRAL: Robinson Said “He Would Support A Full Ban On Abortion, With No Exceptions.” According to WRAL, “The GOP frontrunner is Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who earlier this year said if elected governor he would support a full ban on abortion, with no exceptions. More recently, he has said he supports a ban on abortions after six weeks. Robinson didn't make an official statement on the ruling Friday. A spokesman for Robinson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.” [WRAL, 6/30/23]
Robinson Said He Would “Love To Pass A Law” That Said “You Can’t Get An Abortion In North Carolina For Any Reason.” According to WNCT, “The Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina went on a radio talk show this weekend, saying in part that if he had the authority, abortion would be completely illegal in the state. Mark Robinson appeared on a WSIC program called ‘Taking Care of Iredell with NC Representative Jeff McNeely,’ primarily talking about his position on abortion […] The two men discussed, briefly, Mark Robinson’s own experience with abortion, which he has publicly expressed regret for. He has remained consistent in his staunch anti-abortion views. ‘If I had all the power right now, say I was the governor and had a willing legislature, we could pass a bill right now that says you can’t get an abortion in North Carolina for any reason. Would that stop abortions? No. People would get in their car, they’d go to Georgia, they’d go to South Carolina,’ he said, although South Carolina has passed an abortion ban and has proposed a bill that would make abortion legally tantamount to murder. ‘They would go to Virginia, they’d go wherever they could. They’d get pills online. Passing a law is one thing, I’d love to pass a law. I’d love to see a heartbeat bill proposed in our legislature.’” [WNCT, 3/1/23]
¶ Robinson Supported The Passage Of Laws That Restricted Abortion Rights In North Carolina And Wanted To Go Even Farther
¶ After SB20 Became Law, Robinson Praised The 12-Week Ban And Took Credit For It
Robinson: “We Rolled It Back To 12 [Weeks] And We Continue To Do Good Work.” According to Robinson at the New Hanover Lincoln Douglas Reagan Gala, “We've got to build a culture of life in this state at 20 weeks, it was a culture of death. We rolled it back to 12, and we continue to do great work. And the one thing that bugs me more than anything is that they call it an abortion bill, it is not an abortion bill. It is a life bill. When we talk about that issue, we need to talk about life instead of death. So we talked about all these problems we've got to tackle as Americans. All the things that we've got to do.” [New Hanover Lincoln Douglas Reagan Gala, 7/8/23] (VIDEO)
Robinson Was “Glad To See Republicans In The NC House And Senate Stand Strong And Override The Governor’s Veto” Of A 12-Week Abortion Ban. According to Robinson’s Twitter, “Lieutenant Governor Robinson’s statement on the override veto vote of the ‘Care for Women, Children, and Families Act.’ #ncpol”
[Twitter, @MarkRobinsonNC, 5/16/23]
¶ Robinson Supported Restricting Abortion Further Than North Carolina’s 12-Week Ban
Carolina Journal: Robinson “Has Been Public In His Belief That Restrictions Should Go Further” Than SB20. According to The Carolina Journal, “Folwell also backed SB20, stating in a tweet he ‘would sign’ the legislation if it advanced to his desk as governor. Robinson also threw his support behind the bill, but has been public in his belief that restrictions should go further, stating in a radio interview that Republicans should be willing to ‘move the ball’ on the issue. ‘And when I say to move the ball, what I mean is to continue to try to save lives in the womb, and to continue to do the hard work it’s going to take to enhance those lives once those individuals are born.’ said Robinson on the K.C. O’Dea Radio Show.” [Carolina Journal, 5/24/23]
Robinson Said SB20 “Gives Us The Opportunity” To “Move The Ball” On Abortion. According to Robinson on the KC O’Dea Show, “Now, again, I would like to have seen the heartbeat bill put out, I would have liked to see it passed. I think that saves the maximum amount of lives from where we're at right now. But, you know, this rollback is great and it gives us the opportunity to set ourselves up, to get ready to continue to move the ball. And when I say move the ball, what I mean is to continue to try to save lives in the womb and to continue to do the hard work it's going to take to enhance those lives.” [KC O’Dea Show, 5/17/23] (VIDEO)
¶ Robinson Supported A Heartbeat Bill, Which Typically Banned Abortion At Six Weeks
Robinson Supported Legislation To Ban Abortions After A Fetal Heartbeat Is Detected, Which Typically Occurs Six Weeks After Fertilization. According to The Associated Press, “Robinson said Saturday he wants to make North Carolina a ‘destination state for life,’ which he said includes his support for legislation preventing abortions once an ultrasound first detects fetal cardiac activity, typically about six weeks after fertilization. State law currently bans nearly all abortions after 20 weeks.” [AP, 4/22/23]
Robinson Voiced Support For A Six-Week Abortion Ban. According to The Carolina Journal, “During his campaign launch speech, Robinson voiced support to restrict abortion following the detection of a fetal heartbeat at around six weeks.” [Carolina Journal, 5/24/23]
2023: Robinson Said He “Desperately” Wanted To See A Heartbeat Bill Enacted In North Carolina. According to The Homeschool Show, “I desperately would love North Carolina pass a heartbeat bill. I would love to see it passed.” [The Homeschool Show, 6/12/23] (VIDEO)
Robinson Said, “I’m A Firm Believer That Life Starts At Conception.” According to Robinson on the Jesse Kelly Show, “I want people to be able to make choices for themselves. But here's the thing. When you start talking about abortion, you're talking about making a choice for another individual who has no voice. You're talking about killing an individual who cannot speak up for themselves, and someone needs to speak up for that life. And I intend to be that person. Look, you know, people can say whatever they want to say, but I'm a firm believer that life starts at conception, and in this nation, that is the very first word in our founding documents about our tenants. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We need to give people the right to life.” [The Jesse Kelly Show, 12/7/21] (AUDIO)
¶ Robinson Vowed To Make North Carolina “The Most Pro-Life State In The Nation”
Robinson Said, “At 20 Weeks In North Carolina, We Were A Destination State For Death.” According to Robinson at the Conservative Steering Committee Summer Meeting, “At 20 weeks in North Carolina, we were a destination state for death. It's time for us to change the conversation from abortion to life so that we can become a destination state for life. And that's what this party needs to do as a whole. We need to purge the word abortion from our mouth. And every time it is mentioned, we need to counter it with what we believe in, and what we believe in is life. And that's what I intend to do. And I intend to build that culture in North Carolina and I hope to see it built all across this nation.” [Conservative Steering Committee Summer Meeting, 8/23/23] (VIDEO)
Robinson Said, “I’m Going To Do Everything In My Power To Make Sure That North Carolina Is The Most Pro-Life State In This Nation.” According to Robinson at Winkler’s Grove Baptist Church, “I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that North Carolina is the most pro-life state in this nation. I don't care what Cooper says. I don't care what Josh Stein says.” [Winkler's Grove Baptist Church, 7/10/22] (VIDEO)
Robinson Said, “I Want North Carolina To Be The Most Pro-Life State In The Nation.” According to Robinson at a speech in Buncombe County, “Now abortion, you all know how I feel about abortion. I want North Carolina to be the most pro-life state in the nation. Hands down. Abortion is murder.” [Buncombe County Speech, 6/28/22] (VIDEO)
Robinson Said, “We Want To Be The Most Pro-Life State In The Union.” According to Robinson on John Solomon Reports Podcast, “We see silence on all of these substantive issues that are affecting Americans every day while these people are screaming and raging about this issue of abortion, acting as if all of a sudden the Supreme Court has outlawed abortions completely, and that simply is not true. I believe that we need to continue to push to make this, in North Carolina, we want to push to make sure that North Carolina is as pro-life as possible, we want to be the most pro-life state in the Union” [John Solomon Reports, 7/3/22] (AUDIO)
¶ Robinson Later Attempted To Walk Back His Support For A Total Ban
¶ Robinson Attempted To Walk Back His Support For A Total Abortion Ban
WFAE: Robinson “Continued To Publicly Soften His Stance On Abortion” And Claimed That He Did Not Recall Saying He Wanted To Ban All Abortions Without Exceptions. According to WFAE, “North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson continued to publicly soften his stance on abortion on Tuesday while also condemning the rainbow Pride flag and saying public education should be free of political agendas. Robinson is the leading Republican candidate for North Carolina governor. He made the remarks while speaking to the Charlotte Rotary Club in uptown Charlotte. After delivering a stump speech to the club, Robinson was asked by a woman in the audience to respond to comments he made to a conservative radio host in February, saying he would support a total ban on abortions with no exceptions in North Carolina if elected. Robinson said he did not recall making the comments, but acknowledged that he had ‘struggled a great deal’ with abortion, and said he no longer believed simply passing restrictive abortion laws was the right approach. ‘Even if I did pass a law saying you can't have an abortion, someone's still going to go to Georgia or Florida or somewhere and have their abortion — or New York. That's not how you save lives,’ he said.” [WFAE, 8/22/23]
WRAL: Robinson Said “He Would Sign A Law Fully Banning All Abortions” But “Has Since Somewhat Softened His Approach.” According to WRAL, “Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a Republican who is running for governor, said earlier this year that if he is elected governor in 2024 he would sign a law fully banning all abortions — with no exceptions for anything, including rape, incest or to save the mother’s life. Robinson has since somewhat softened his approach, changing his stance in his speech last month when he officially announced his run for governor. He now says he would support a fetal heartbeat ban, which is typically a ban on abortions after six weeks.” [WRAL, 5/17/23]
¶ Robinson’s Spokesman Said Robinson Supported Exceptions For Rape, Incest, And Life Of The Mother
Robinson's Spokesman Said Robinson Would Support A Heartbeat Bill And Exemptions For "Extreme Situations Like Rape, Incest, Or When The Life Of The Mother Is In Danger." According to WRAL, "Asked to clarify Robinson’s position on Thursday, Lonergan said that the lieutenant governor would support a heartbeat bill and exemptions 'for extreme situations like rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger.'" [WRAL, 11/15/23]
¶ Robinson Said He Should Not Be In A Position To Tell Women, “You Can’t Have An Abortion”
Robinson Said, “I Should Not Be That Person Standing Up On That Stage Saying, 'You Can't Have An Abortion.' That Is Not Who I'm Going To Be. Jesus Christ Wouldn't Want Me To Be That Person.” According to WFAE, “Robinson, who has acknowledged paying for an abortion with his now-wife in 1989, said he began to think differently about his approach during a recent visit to a crisis pregnancy center. He said he listened to workers talking with pregnant women and encouraging them to keep their children. ‘And I realized something — that I should not be that person standing up on that stage saying, 'You can't have an abortion.' That is not who I'm going to be. Jesus Christ wouldn't want me to be that person,’ he said.” [WFAE, 8/22/23]
¶ Robinson Said He Was “Not Interested In Talking About Abortion Anymore” And Refused To Say If He Was Satisfied With North Carolina’s 12-Week Abortion Ban
¶ As Republicans Finalized Passage Of A 12-Week Abortion Ban, Robinson Avoided Commenting On The Ban And Said He Was “Not Interested In Talking About Abortion Anymore”
As North Carolina Republicans Finalized Passage Of A 12-Week Abortion Ban, Robinson Said He Was “Not Interested In Talking About Abortion Anymore.” According to WFAE, “The leading Republican candidate for North Carolina governor, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, said Thursday he was ‘not interested’ in discussing the topic of abortion, just as Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly finalized the passage of a bill banning most abortions in the state after 12 weeks of pregnancy. When asked to comment on the legislation, Robinson declined to weigh in. ‘I'm not interested in talking about abortion anymore. What I'm interested in talking about now is how we're going to make life better for folks after they're born — saving lives in the womb and then enhancing those lives once those lives come into the world. I'm tired of talking about abortion. I don't want to talk about it anymore,’ Robinson said.” [WFAE, 5/4/23]
CNN: Robinson "Tried To Avoid Publicly Commenting On [Abortion] In Recent Weeks – A Reversal From His Usual Posture." According to CNN, "The race to succeed Cooper, who has for years beat back the Republican agenda in North Carolina with his veto pen, will be especially heated if Robinson wins the Republican nomination. Democrats are already highlighting his absence from the legislature during the abortion votes – arguing that he is trying to distance himself from the ban. The Republican had tried to avoid publicly commenting on the issue in recent weeks – a reversal from his usual posture – though he told a conservative radio host the day after Republicans overrode Cooper’s veto that North Carolina continued to 'move the ball' on abortion." [CNN, 5/20/23]
WRAL: Robinson “Has Avoided Commenting” On The 12-Week Abortion Ban. According to WRAL, “Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson — who has described himself as ‘adamantly pro-life,’ partly because he regrets paying for an abortion in 1989 and is known for fiery speeches — has avoided commenting on the bill backed by the legislature his party controls. The measure, which would outlaw most abortions in the state after 12 weeks, down from 20 weeks, cleared the state Senate Thursday.” [WRAL, 5/4/23]
- Robinson’s Campaign Did Not Respond When Asked To Comment On The 12-Week Abortion Ban. According to WRAL, “Robinson, one of the lieutenant governor’s few official duties is to preside over the state Senate, has not been at the legislature this week as the abortion bill rolled out. His campaign has not returned messages requesting comment on the bill. And when Robinson was asked about it in person Thursday at an event in Charlotte, he told reporters: ‘I’m tired of talking about abortion. I don’t want to talk about it,’ according to WFAE. That shocked some observers of state politics, considering Robinson’s reputation for outspoken beliefs — especially on the issue of abortion, which he has frequently and harshly criticized in the past.” [WRAL, 5/4/23]
¶ Robinson Would Not Answer When Asked If He Was Satisfied With The 12-Week Abortion Ban
Robinson Would Not Answer When Asked If He Was Satisfied With A 12-Week Abortion Ban. According to WFAE, “Asked on Thursday if he was satisfied with a 12-week abortion ban or if he would seek more restrictions if elected governor, Robinson said he would leave the discussion up to lawmakers. ‘Look, that's going to be a discussion (lawmakers) are going to have. We're going to let them have that discussion. But my focus, again, is not on abortion. It's on how we can make the lives of people in North Carolina better,’ Robinson said. Robinson was in Charlotte for a monthly meeting of the North Carolina State Board of Education, of which he is a member.” [WFAE, 5/4/23]
¶ Appendix A: Additional VISUALS Of Robinson Addressing Abortion
¶ 2023
2023: Robinson Said, “People Love To Throw Out This Whole Thing About Rape And Incest, But That’s A Small Portion Of What’s Been Happening Since Roe V. Wade Was Made The Law.” According to Robinson at the Charlotte Rotary Club, “I have, I don't believe I have ever said this whole thing about no exceptions, rape and incest. I have always made it plain. I have always made it plain that I struggle on that issue. I struggle a great deal with that issue when it comes to these exceptions for rape and incest. I do. And I've always made that plain from the very beginning. So I would take exception to that one part of what you said about the exceptions. But as far as abortion goes and I don't, let me say this, I don't like to say that word anymore. Because I'm not in favor of abortion, I'm not, and I'm certainly not in favor of rape. That's a ridiculous notion. I'm in favor of life. And I'm in favor of trying to save as many lives as I can in the womb as I can. People love to throw out this whole thing about rape and incest, but that's a small portion of what's been happening since Roe v. Wade was made the law, a very small portion of it. And that is an undeniable fact. The simple fact of the matter is in this country and people can like it or not like it, and people can get mad at me for saying this. We have turned abortion into a form of birth control.” [Charlotte Rotary Club, 8/22/23] (VIDEO)
2023: Robinson Said He Would Not Want To Tell A Hypothetical 17-Year-Old Girl That She Could Not Have An Abortion, But He Would Want To Explain To Her Why She Should Not Have An Abortion. According to Robinson at a campaign fundraiser in Emerald Isle, “That's what we intend to do. I do not want to be the man standing on stage, points at a 17-year-old girl and tells her, you can’t have an abortion. I want to be the man who comes off that stage and says puts my arm around that young girl and tells her why she shouldn’t have an abortion.” [Emerald Isle Fundraiser, 8/17/23] (VIDEO)
2023: Referring To SB20, Robinson Said, “It’s Not An Abortion Bill. It’s A Bill To Try To Save The Lives Of Children In North Carolina In The Womb.” According to Robinson on the KC O’Dea Show, “I'm tired of people talking about abortion. I'm not talking about abortion anymore. What I'm talking about is what I'm standing up for. And what I'm standing up for is life. I'm fighting for life, I'm fighting to save lives and I'm fighting to make lives better here in North Carolina. I don't want to talk about abortion any more. Abortion is not what I'm fighting for, or against. I'm fighting for life because I want to save these lives and once they’re saved, I want to do everything I can as an elected official to bring them life more abundantly. So it's not about it's not about that. And, you know, I heard someone refer to the abortion bill. It's not an abortion bill. It's a bill to try to save the lives of children in North Carolina in the womb, and to try to give them a better life once they are born” [KC O’Dea Show, 5/17/23] (AUDIO)
¶ 2022
2022: Robinson Called Abortion “Wicked.” According to Robinson on The Todd Starnes Show, “The number one reason why is because of our faith, because we have grown so far in our faith that we come so far on that walk, to know how wicked abortion is” [Todd Starnes Show, 4/7/22] (AUDIO)
2022: Robinson Celebrated The Dobbs Decision And Said “Abortion Is Not A Constitutional Right And Never Should Have Been Guaranteed As Such.” According to Robinson on the John Solomon Reports Podcast, “I thought it was a fantastic win for the Constitution, a fantastic win for the people of this country, and quite frankly, a fantastic win for the states. You know, this always should have been an issue that should have been handled within the states. The folks in the state should be able to make their decisions about this issue. Abortion is not a constitutional right and never should have been guaranteed as such. And so we're extremely thrilled that this is going to come back and we're going to be able to decide how we want to take care of this inside of our own state.” [John Solomon Reports, 7/3/22] (AUDIO)
¶ 2021
2021: Robinson Said, “That’s A Human Being Inside That Womb. It’s Not Your Body Anymore. It’s Not Your Body.” According to Robinson at Ashbury Baptist Church, “Meanwhile, some of those same people stand outside and gleefully invite people to come in to the abortion clinic, kill babies that are blameless in this world. You see, God said he knew before he formed us in the womb. That's all I need to hear to know that that's a human being inside that womb. It's not your body anymore. It's not your body. And when I say it's not your body, I'm talking about the daddy’s too. Can't leave them out of the equation because I firmly believe if it weren't for so many of these sorry rascals out here who won’t take care of their children, and would stand up and make a home with these women. They wouldn’t be running in an abortion clinic.” [Ashbury Baptist Church, 6/8/21] (VIDEO)
¶ 2020
Robinson Said, “If Planned Parenthood Was Killing Puppies Like They’re Killing Children, It Would Have Been Shut Down Years Ago.” According to Robinson at True Light Baptist Church, “You talk about the unborn, you better believe that's a spiritual issue, that God is not paying attention to us in how we treat these babies? You think God is not disgusted that human beings on this planet give more respect to sea turtle eggs than they do to infants in the womb, human beings made in the image of God? We give more respect to animals than we do children in the womb. If Planned Parenthood was killing puppies like they're killing children, it would have been shut down years ago.” [True Light Baptist Church, 10/16/20] (VIDEO)
2020: Robinson Said, “We’re Discarding The Unborn Like Trash.” According to Robinson at a campaign stop in Granville County, “Here’s the single solitary social issue that I believe is paramount in our time, and that is protecting the lives of the unborn. We have got to protect the most vulnerable human life among us, most vulnerable among us is the unborn. And right now we're discarding the unborn like trash.” [Granville County, 1/28/20] (VIDEO)
2020: Robinson Said, “I Don’t Believe In Abortion At All. I Believe Abortion Is A Spiritual Stain.” According to Robinson on Fireside Chats Podcast, “I don't believe in abortion at all. I believe abortion is a spiritual stain, a spiritual and physical stain on this nation. And it's got to come to an end. I believe that Planned Parenthood is the organization that should be defunded, not our police department. And I believe it's the thing in the Black community that is really taking Black lives and folks should stand up against it.” [Fireside Chats Podcast, 8/26/20] (AUDIO)
¶ 2019
2019: Robinson Said Republicans Needed To Be “Uncompromising” In Removing The “Scourge Of Abortion From This Nation.” According to Robinson at a Hoke County GOP event, “Folks, the Republican Party today needs to stand up and remove the scourge of abortion from this nation. And we need to be bold in doing it and we need to be uncompromising in doing it. There is no question that not only does abortion stop a beating heart, abortion will block the blessings of God from this nation. We've got to protect the lives of the unborn.” [Hoke County GOP, 11/29/19] (VIDEO)
¶ Appendix B: Additional Reporting OF ROBINSON’S Stance On Abortion
¶ Robinson Supported Banning Abortion With No Exceptions
WRAL: “Robinson Said That If He Were Governor, He’d Like To Sign A Bill Completely Banning All Abortions.” According to WRAL, “On Monday, in a radio show hosted by Republican Rep. Jeffrey McNeely of Iredell County, Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson said that if he were governor, he’d like to sign a bill completely banning all abortions — mentioning no exceptions like for rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.” [WRAL, 2/28/23]
FOX 8: Robinson “Called For An Almost Total Ban On Abortion.” According to FOX 8, “Lt. Gov Mark Robinson, who heads the Senate and is a likely candidate for the Republican nomination for governor, last week called for an almost total ban on abortion in the state.” [FOX 8, 1/26/23]
WSPA 7News: Robinson “Supports A Total Ban On Abortions.” According to WSPA 7News, “Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who many think will be the GOP frontrunner to succeed Cooper, has said he wants North Carolina to be a ‘state for life’ and supports a total ban on abortions.” [WSPA 7News, 4/4/23]
FOX 8: Robinson “Has Said He Favored A Total Ban On Abortion.” According to FOX 8, “Saying that this is a bill that supports the rights of both mothers and children, leadership of the North Carolina General Assembly on Tuesday announced an agreement to modify the state’s abortion law […] The Democratic Governors Association issued a response to the bill that went after Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a GOP candidate for governor, who has said he favored a total ban on abortion.” [FOX 8, 5/2/23]
WFAE: Robinson “Has Advocated For A Total Ban With No Exceptions.” According to WFAE, “‘This Republican legislature will keep coming, and keep coming, until they have completely and totally banned abortion and taken away our freedom and our power. But friends, we will not let them,’ Stein said. He pointed to his likely opponent in next year’s race for governor, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who has advocated for a total ban with no exceptions.” [WFAE, 5/3/23]
FOX 8: Robinson “Supports A Total Ban On Abortion.” According to FOX 8, “Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the state’s highest-ranking Republican and de facto president of the Senate, who is expected to announce on Saturday pursuit of the GOP nomination for governor, supports a total ban on abortion. ‘How can you have life and liberty if you end life in the womb, and do not give people their freedom after they’re born?’ Robinson said at a rally in January. ‘This nation is built on those ideals. And so we have to stand up for life.’” [FOX 8, 4/21/23]
Washington Post: Robinson “Supports An Outright Abortion Ban.” According to The Washington Post, “The Republican favorite for the job, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, supports an outright abortion ban and opposes same-sex marriage. He is known for controversial statements, such as calling homosexuality and transgenderism ‘filth’ and calling student survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting ‘media prostit-tots.’ He has boasted of owning a semiautomatic rifle in case the government gets ‘too big for its britches.’” [Washington Post, 5/15/23]
WRAL: “Robinson Has Referred To Abortion As Murder” And “Said He Would Support A Bill Banning All Abortions.” According to WRAL, “Robinson has referred to abortion as murder. And, earlier this year, said he would support a bill banning all abortions — with no exceptions for issues such as rape, or to save the life of the mother.” [WRAL, 6/2/23]
¶ Robinson Briefly Attempted To Soften His Stance And Walk Back His Support For A Total Abortion Ban
FOX 8: “Robinson’s Stance [On Abortion] Seems To Have Softened From Prior Years.” According to FOX 8, “In recent speaking engagements, Robinson’s stance seems to have softened from prior years. Rather than discussing bans, which he has previously expressed support for, both in this interview and during his campaign speech, he spent more time discussing improvements to childcare, foster care and adoption in North Carolina as a way to support abortion restrictions.” [FOX 8, 5/17/23]
CBS 17: “Robinson In The Past Has Called Abortion ‘Murder’ But Has Since Backed Off The Idea Of Supporting A Total Ban.” According to CBS 17, “The Republican-controlled General Assembly enacted a new law this year restricting abortion after 12 weeks, allowing exceptions for rape, incest, protecting the mother’s life and life-limiting fetal abnormalities. Stein says he believes Republicans will enact further restrictions with Robinson as governor. Robinson in the past has called abortion ‘murder’ but has since backed off the idea of supporting a total ban.” [CBS 17, 12/14/23]
Robinson’s Stance On Abortion Changed In A Matter Of Months. According to WRAL, “Robinson’s position on the issue has evolved over the past two years, as his run for governor has gotten closer. Last month, when he announced his candidacy, Robinson said: ‘We need common-sense legislation to prevent abortions after a heartbeat is detected.’ Heartbeat laws typically ban abortion at six weeks. One in South Carolina was recently ruled unconstitutional. In February, before he officially launched his gubernatorial campaign, Robinson had a different stance. He said if he were governor he would sign a bill banning all abortions — with no exceptions for issues such as rape, or to save the life of the mother.” [WRAL, 5/4/23]