Trump expresses his support for Mark Robinson to become the governor of North Carolina: "He is Martin Luther King on steroids"

AP

Former President Donald Trump showed his support for North Carolina's Lieutenant Governor, Mark Robinson, in his campaign to become the state's governor, as part of a promise he made several months ago.

At a rally in the city of Greensboro, Trump compared Robinson, who is African American, to Martin Luther King Jr., the legendary civil rights advocate.

Trump referred to Robinson as "Martin Luther King on steroids."

The former president commented that Robinson didn't know how to respond when he made the comparison and told him: "I think you're better than Martin Luther King. I think you're Martin Luther King times two."

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"You should like it," Trump said.

Trump included Robinson among several candidates for whom people should vote in North Carolina's Republican primaries this Tuesday, saying they "have my complete and total endorsement."

Former President Trump is also on the primary ballot as he seeks to eliminate his last remaining rival, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, from the mathematical contest for the Republican nomination.

Despite the lack of a formal endorsement, the former president's support combined with strong fundraising and his popularity among the party base have helped make Robinson the favorite for the Republican nomination for governor.

Robinson's main rivals — State Treasurer Dale Folwell and litigating attorney Bill Graham — have questioned his ability to win the general elections in November, particularly in light of strong statements on LGBT+ rights and other issues.

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Trump called Robinson, who also spoke at Saturday's rally, an "incredible gentleman" and a "great natural speaker."

In addition, he recalled, with some inaccuracy, how Robinson rose to fame after a 2018 speech before the Greensboro City Council in support of the right to bear arms and the police went viral.

This led Robinson to a position on the board of directors of the National Rifle Association and to be elected the state's first African American lieutenant governor in 2020 in his first run for public office.