However, following the tragic event in El Paso where 22 people were killed by a white supremacist gunman, the political landscape is quickly moving towards a more extensive and potentially tumultuous debate on racist extremism. Not only is the gun lobby under fire, but social media platforms like 8chan, known for promoting toxic ideologies and violent concepts, are also facing scrutiny for their role in spreading harmful beliefs that have led to real-life tragedies. President Donald Trump is also facing increased criticism for the similarities between his rhetoric and the El Paso shooter's anti-immigrant manifesto. Trump's attempts to deflect attention through tweets attacking the media and suggesting new background checks for gun buyers have not been successful in alleviating the political pressure. His later statement condemning white supremacy and online extremism, while avoiding addressing his own language and not advocating for stricter gun laws, has failed to silence the criticism from his opponents who are calling for him to take responsibility. A statement from former President Barack Obama on Monday afternoon highlighted the shift from the gun violence debate to a focus on extremism. Obama called for both gun control and a strong national rejection of racism and those who promote it. He emphasized the need to reject leaders who use language that fosters fear, hatred, and racist beliefs. While Obama did not specifically name any leaders, Democratic presidential candidates did not hesitate to blame Trump for giving support to extremists. Joe Biden accused Trump of promoting white supremacy and dividing the country. Other political leaders also expressed their concern and alarm. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City who has funded a long-term campaign for gun control, wrote in a column that recent acts of violence should prompt a change in the political landscape regarding guns. He criticized Trump's response as being evasive. Democratic presidential candidates united in their criticism of Trump, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren holding him accountable for promoting dangerous ideologies, and Sen. Cory Booker dismissing Trump's speech as ineffective. Booker plans to address gun violence in a speech at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, where a mass shooting occurred in 2015. The issue of gun violence and racism is becoming prominent in elections beyond the presidential race, with candidates like Mike Johnston attributing the toxic culture to Trump. Candidates in 2020 will need to make a clear decision on these issues. In an interview, Johnston stated that individuals must choose whether to support white nationalists with AR-15s or the millions of Americans who fear them. Trump expressed openness to bipartisan solutions to address gun violence and attributed the spread of "sinister ideologies" to the internet and social media. He emphasized his support for the death penalty and questioned the effectiveness of gun restrictions, stating that mental illness and hatred, not guns, are responsible for violence. Trump's campaign criticized Democrats for politicizing national grief and defended 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 tried to attack Republican lawmakers in 2017. He stated that the blame for such terrible attacks ultimately falls on the individuals who carry them out. While Trump and his supporters insist he is not responsible for the increase in extremist violence, many believe he has not distanced himself enough from white supremacist groups. A survey from the Pew Research Centre in March showed that 56 percent of Americans feel Trump has not done enough to separate himself from white nationalist organizations. This sentiment is shared by a quarter of Republicans or those who support Trump. It is not only liberals who view the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton as a national crisis and a significant test for Trump. The conservative National Review magazine has called for action against the resurgent ideology of white supremacy, comparing it to the government's response to Islamic terrorism. The magazine urged Trump to condemn these actions clearly and repeatedly. Former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, who led his state through the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, said in an interview that the current situation requires both stricter gun laws and a new approach from the White House. He advised Trump to be cautious with his words to prevent causing fear or anger. Keating emphasized the importance of Trump understanding the impact of his rhetoric and called on him to be both a moral and government leader. He also expressed uncertainty about whether the El Paso shooting would have a significant impact on national politics like the Oklahoma City bombing did in the 1990s. President Bill Clinton's response to the bombing, where he condemned extreme right voices, helped boost his image as a strong leader after a rocky start to his presidency. Trump has not shown any interest in taking on a role of clear moral leadership or reflecting on his own support of divisive politics. After the violence in Charlottesville in 2017, he controversially remarked that there were "very fine people on both sides." Recently, he has continued to attack minority groups without remorse. While many Republican lawmakers have not publicly criticized Trump's behavior, there are concerns within the party about how it may impact the 2020 elections. Trump's focus on illegal immigration during the midterm elections resulted in a significant defeat for his party in various cities and suburbs. The final weeks of the 2018 elections were marked by two traumatic events that may have intensified voters' concerns about the president's violent rhetoric and appeals to racism: a series of attempted bombings by a Trump supporter targeting the president's critics, and a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh carried out by a gunman who had spoken out against immigrant "invaders." Despite his initial somber response to the Pittsburgh massacre, Trump quickly returned to his divisive campaign rhetoric. However, his rural and white political base continued to support him unwaveringly. The Democratic presidential candidates briefly put aside their internal divisions in the wake of the weekend's violence, recognizing the need to present a united front against Trump's worldview and actions in the upcoming 2020 campaign. Governor Jay Inslee of Washington state expressed confidence to a reporter in Detroit that his party would easily come together for the 2020 election, comparing their unity to a powerful force, stating that the only force stronger would be a black hole, referring to the current White House occupant as a white nationalist.