Trump Faces Pressure to Rescind Endorsement of Scandal-Plagued Gubernatorial Candidate Mark Robinson

Welcome to From the Politics Desk, your go-to evening newsletter for the latest insights and analyses from the campaign trail, the White House, and Capitol Hill, as reported by the NBC News Politics team.

In this edition, we delve into how Donald Trump is navigating the political repercussions of CNN's explosive report on North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson. We also explore the shifts in polling trends over the past two months, as discussed by "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker, ahead of a new NBC News poll set to release this weekend.

Trump's Endorsement Dilemma

The fallout from the CNN report has thrown Trump's endorsement of Robinson into question, with calls for the former president to retract his support. Despite pressure from allies and within his campaign, Trump has shown no inclination to withdraw his endorsement, as reported by Matt Dixon, Katherine Doyle, Olympia Sonnier, and Kristen Welker.

The CNN report unveiled a series of offensive comments made by Robinson on a pornography website prior to his tenure as lieutenant governor. While the Trump campaign did not directly address these allegations, it emphasized its focus on winning the White House and preserving the country's interests.

Despite a segment of Trump's advisors discreetly urging him to distance himself from Robinson, these appeals have thus far gone unheeded. Similarly, prominent Republican figures from North Carolina have attempted to persuade Trump to retract his endorsement, but to no avail.

The political fallout from Robinson's past comments poses a significant challenge for Trump, particularly in light of North Carolina's crucial role as a swing state. However, Trump has historically refrained from publicly rescinding endorsements, perceiving such actions as a sign of weakness.

Democratic Exploitation

Unsurprisingly, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has swiftly sought to capitalize on the scandal surrounding Robinson. The DNC has launched digital ads and billboards featuring Trump praising Robinson, while the Harris campaign has drawn parallels between Trump and Robinson's past anti-abortion comments. However, as noted by Ben Kamisar, neither campaign has addressed the inflammatory comments highlighted in the CNN report.

Shifting Polling Landscape

Amidst the political turmoil, Kristen Welker has provided insights into the evolving polling landscape, highlighting notable shifts since the last NBC News poll in July. These developments have unfolded against a backdrop of significant events, including President Joe Biden's exit from the 2024 race, multiple attempted assassinations on former President Donald Trump, and the lone debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Despite refraining from disclosing specific figures from the forthcoming poll, Welker underscored three predominant trends emerging from recent polling:

1. Democrats' bolstered position: Thanks in part to the party's change at the top of the ticket, Democrats now find themselves in a stronger polling position than at any point in the past year.
2. Favorable battleground map: The battleground map has become more favorable for Democrats, particularly in pivotal Rust Belt states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
3. Close presidential contest: Despite the favorable developments for Democrats, the presidential race remains tightly contested, with most national and state poll results falling within the margin of error.

Undecided Voters' Leanings

An intriguing dimension to the polling dynamics involves the undecided voters from the previous poll, as explored by Bridget Bowman, Emma Barnett, Alex Tabet, and Katherine Koretski. Among the 21 undecided voters reached out to, a significant group expressed concerns about Trump and indicated a leaning towards Harris.

These voters, representing diverse backgrounds and regions across the country, share a common skepticism towards politicians and political maneuvering. While some remain cautious about Harris, many have firmly established views against Trump and expressed intent to support Harris.

As the electoral landscape continues to evolve, Trump faces scrutiny over election-related decisions made by his allies on Georgia's election board, while ballot challenges persist, as evidenced by the Supreme Court's rejection of Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein's request to be included on the ballot in Nevada. Additionally, early in-person voting has commenced in several states, including Minnesota, South Dakota, and Virginia.

Amidst these developments, the House passed a bill aimed at enhancing Secret Service protection for major presidential nominees and their running mates. Furthermore, a potential Republican-controlled Senate poses challenges for Harris in the event of a presidential victory, potentially impeding her legislative agenda and appointments to key positions.

The political landscape remains a subject of intense scrutiny, with Republicans in Nebraska considering changes to state law to confer an additional Electoral College vote to Trump, while similar efforts by Democrats inMaine lack recourse to balance the scale. In an interview, First Lady Jill Biden emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and unity among Americans amidst deep political divisions.

In the midst of the political discourse, Trump's comments suggesting that Jewish voters will bear responsibility if he loses the election have sparked controversy. Additionally, Alex Seitz-Wald observes that Trump is reviving ominous predictions from his previous campaigns, despite their failure to materialize.

As the electoral landscape continues to evolve, the NBC News Politics team remains committed to providing comprehensive coverage and insights into the latest developments from the campaign trail, the White House, and Capitol Hill. Tune in to "Meet the Press" this Sunday to gain further insights into the findings from the impending NBC News poll. Stay informed and engaged as the political landscape unfolds.