Live updates: Donald Trump, Kamala Harris election news | CNN Politics

Senate Republicans spoke on Monday about the scandal engulfing Mark Robinson, the North Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate who has seen his campaign implode in the aftermath of a CNN report exposing his X-rated and racist posts on a porn website.

Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, would not say whether he would vote for Robinson in November, calling it “immaterial.” But he said he would instead be squarely focused on helping Donald Trump carry North Carolina and would stump for down-ticket candidates.

“I won’t be campaigning for Robinson,” Tillis told CNN. “How I vote is less relevant than what I’m focused on.”

Senate GOP Whip John Thune, who is running to be Republican leader next Congress, expressed concern that Robinson “hasn’t been able to explain” the story.

Republican Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina said he still plans to vote for Robinson for governor, though he called the allegations “very disturbing.”

“I’m going to always vote for Republicans because we have the best platform,” he said.

Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, meanwhile, slammed Robinson and said he should step aside.

“Of course he should step aside. It’s outrageous, disgusting, vile and his efforts to say it wasn’t him need to show a good deal more substance, Romney said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham said that if CNN’s reporting about Robinson is correct, the candidate is “toast,” but if the company is wrong, it could be “bankrupt.”

“If y’all are wrong, you will be bankrupt. And if you’re not wrong, he’s toast,” the South Carolina Republican said, pointing to a CNN reporter. “If he can’t credibly rebut these accusations, he’s a zombie.”

This post has been updated with additional information.