However, following the mass shooting in El Paso carried out by a white supremacist, the political world is now headed towards a more extensive and possibly more turbulent confrontation regarding racist extremism. The gun lobby, social media companies, and websites like 8chan are all under scrutiny for promoting toxic ideas that have led to real-life violence. President Trump is facing harsh criticism for his anti-immigrant rhetoric, with calls for him to take responsibility for his words and push for stricter gun regulations. Trump's attempts to deflect criticism through tweets and statements have not been successful in alleviating the political pressure and demands for accountability. Former President Barack Obama made a rare statement on Monday, calling for both gun control and a national rejection of racism and those who promote it. He emphasized the need to reject leaders who use language that incites fear, hatred, and racism, without mentioning any names. Democratic presidential candidates, including Joe Biden, explicitly blamed President Trump for emboldening extremists with his rhetoric. Other political leaders also expressed distress and alarm over the current situation. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City who has been a major supporter of gun control, stated in a column that the recent violent acts involving guns should lead to a change in the political landscape surrounding gun laws. He criticized Trump for his response, calling it evasive. Democratic presidential candidates united in their criticism of Trump, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren accusing him of promoting dangerous ideologies and Sen. Cory Booker dismissing his speech as ineffective. Booker plans to give a speech on gun violence at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where a mass shooting took place in 2015. The issue of gun violence and racism is becoming a major focus in elections beyond the presidential race, with candidates like Mike Johnston in Colorado blaming Trump for fostering a culture that encourages white nationalists. Candidates in 2020 will have to take a clear stance on these issues. Johnston stated in an interview that individuals must choose whether to support white nationalists with guns or stand with the millions of Americans living in fear of them. Trump expressed openness to bipartisan solutions to address gun violence, attributing the spread of "sinister ideologies" to the internet and social media. He emphasized his support for the death penalty and doubted the effectiveness of gun restrictions, stating that mental illness and hatred, not the gun itself, are responsible for violence. Trump's campaign defended him against criticism, accusing Democrats of politicizing a moment of national grief and highlighting the president's condemnation of racism and white supremacy. The campaign also pointed out that Bernie Sanders was not blamed when one of his supporters attempted to attack Republican lawmakers in 2017. He stated that the blame for such terrible attacks ultimately falls on those who carry them out. While Trump and his supporters insist he is not responsible for the rise of extremist violence, many believe he has not distanced himself enough from white supremacists. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre in March revealed that a majority of Americans, 56 percent, believe Trump has not done enough to distance himself from white nationalist groups. This sentiment was shared by about a quarter of Republicans or those who lean towards Trump's party. It is not only liberals who have expressed concern over the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, viewing them as a crisis for the country and a test for Trump. The conservative National Review magazine published an editorial calling on Americans and the government to address the resurgent ideology of white supremacy, likening it to the government's response to Islamic terrorism. The magazine urged Trump to condemn these actions clearly and repeatedly. Former Republican governor Frank Keating, who led Oklahoma through the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City by domestic terrorists, emphasized the need for both stricter gun control measures and a new approach from the White House. He advised Trump to be careful with his words in order to avoid causing fear or anger. Keating emphasized the importance of the president's role as a moral leader, suggesting that he must denounce such violence. It remains uncertain if the El Paso shooting could have a significant impact on national politics like the Oklahoma City bombing did in the 1990s. After the Oklahoma City bombing, President Bill Clinton delivered a powerful speech condemning extremist views, which helped boost his image as a strong leader. Trump has not demonstrated any desire to act as a clear moral leader or to reflect on his own promotion of anger and racial division. After the Charlottesville white supremacist march, he controversially stated that there were "very fine people on both sides." Recently, he has made unapologetic attacks on minority group members, including Democratic Congress members. Despite few public criticisms from Republican lawmakers after the El Paso and Dayton shootings, there are private concerns within the party about how his behavior will impact the 2020 elections. Trump's focus on illegal immigration during the midterm elections resulted in a widespread rejection of his party in various cities and suburbs. The final weeks of the 2018 elections were marked by two traumatic events that may have heightened voters' concerns about the president's violent language and appeals to racism: attempted bombings by a Trump supporter and a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Trump initially expressed sorrow over the Pittsburgh massacre before returning to his divisive rhetoric on the campaign trail. Despite facing criticism, Trump's rural and white base remained loyal. In the Democratic presidential race, the weekend of violence briefly united the party, highlighting the impact Trump's actions will have on the 2020 campaign. Democrats acknowledged the need to address this political reality amid their own disagreements. In reality, the morning after the two debates of his party, Governor Jay Inslee of Washington state confidently told a reporter in Detroit that his party would easily come together for the 2020 election. Inslee compared the unifying power of his party to a black hole, stating that the only force stronger was a white nationalist in the White House.