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When Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson greeted his fellow members of the Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies over Google Meet last week, his screen name raised some eyebrows—and a few giggles.
There at the bottom of his window was the online handle heard ‘round the world: minisoldr.
Earlier this year, Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign came apart after an Assembly report on his years frequenting Greensboro porn shops followed by a bombshell CNN story tying him to years of offensive posts on a pornographic website. Those posts used the handle “minisoldr,” which Robinson has used for years across multiple online platforms.
Among the places Robinson has used the name is Amazon, where he bought and reviewed expensive model trains and related gear as well as toy helicopters and men’s slimming shapewear shirts.
The origins of the “minisoldr” name are murky, and Robinson has refused to answer questions about it.
Some have suggested it is a stylized version of “mini soldier,” pointing to a site where someone using the “minisoldr” name posted photos of 1/6 scale Nazi SS figurines. Robinson served in the Army Reserves before deciding he didn’t have the discipline for a military career. While he’s retained a love of military symbols and iconography, he isn’t known to be a miniature military figure hobbyist.
Robinson’s love of toy trains could provide a clue. A mini soldering iron or “mini solder” is a common tool used by model railroad enthusiasts.
The CNN story, now the subject of a lawsuit, contributed to Robinson’s double-digit loss to Attorney General Josh Stein. It was also fodder for a lot of late night comedy—including a Saturday Night Live sketch that mocked Robinson and his online handle.
Robinson has denied making the comments on the porn site, saying he believes they are part of an elaborate plot, perhaps aided by AI, to embarrass him and tank his campaign.
Screenshots and video of the Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies meeting were provided to The Assembly. While Robinson’s face was not on camera, he can be heard speaking briefly. (We are not posting the video to protect the identity of the source.)
State Senator Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford) also attended the meeting, but said she didn’t notice Robinson’s screen name. She let out a long laugh when The Assembly brought it to her attention.
“He didn’t stay long in the meeting,” Sen. Robinson said. “I’m just glad he’s on his way out.”
Robinson did not respond to a request for comment.
Joe Killian is The Assembly’s Greensboro editor. He covered cops, courts, government and politics at Greensboro’s daily paper, The News & Record, for a decade. He joined us from NC Newsline in Raleigh, where he was senior investigative reporter.