A defamation lawsuit from Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson is seeing some major amendments. Robinson, who is running for the governor's seat in North Carolina, announced the defamation lawsuit against both CNN and a Greensboro man last month. He was originally seeking $50 million in punitive damages. But in a recent filing, Robinson's team has reduced the damages sought to $25,000. This change comes after CNN reported that Robinson allegedly posted salacious messages on a pornographic website. Robinson has vehemently denied those claims.
Robinson's attorneys allege in their amended complaint that CNN either knew or disregarded the vulnerabilities of the software used by the pornographic website they reported on. They also argue that the reporting was reckless and defamatory. In a statement, Robinson Campaign spokesman Matt Hurley wrote: “North Carolina state courts limit plaintiffs to stating in a complaint whether the damages are more than $25,000. The exact amount of damages will be determined by a jury at trial. We have every confidence that the jury will get it right.” The trial will start on Nov. 18, according to court documents. That's after Election Day.
The CNN Report and its Fallout
Robinson announced the defamation lawsuit against CNN and the Greensboro man after CNN published a report that linked him to a pornography website. The report alleged that Robinson posted messages on the website, including racist and sexually explicit content. Robinson has denied authoring the messages, calling the report a “high-tech lynching.”
The CNN report has been widely criticized by Robinson’s opponents, who have used it to attack his campaign. It has also caused some Republican elected officials and candidates, including presidential nominee Donald Trump, to distance themselves from Robinson. The report has also led to several of Robinson’s staff members quitting.
The Amended Complaint: A Strategic Move
Robinson's decision to reduce the damages sought in his lawsuit could be seen as a strategic move. By lowering the amount, Robinson may be trying to make the lawsuit appear less frivolous and more likely to succeed. It could also be a tactic to avoid further negative attention, as the original $50 million amount received extensive media coverage. The amendment could also be seen as an attempt to shift the focus away from the content of the alleged posts and onto CNN's reporting practices.
The Road Ahead
The case is expected to be in court on November 18, just two weeks after the election. It remains to be seen whether the lawsuit will have any impact on the outcome of the election. However, it has certainly added another layer of complexity to an already contentious race.
The Legacy of a Controversial Campaign
Mark Robinson's gubernatorial campaign has been marred by controversy from the beginning. His past comments on race, gender, and sexuality have drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. The CNN report only intensified those criticisms. Robinson's decision to amend his lawsuit against CNN is unlikely to appease his critics, but it may be a necessary step to salvage what remains of his campaign.
The outcome of the lawsuit could have a significant impact on Robinson's future political ambitions. A loss could further damage his reputation and make it more difficult for him to run for office in the future. However, a victory, even with the reduced damages sought, could give him a platform to push back against what he sees as unfair media coverage. Regardless of the outcome, the case is sure to be followed closely by political observers across the country.
