However, following the tragic massacre in El Paso, Texas by a white supremacist gunman, the political arena is heading towards a more intense and potentially chaotic battle against racist extremism. Not only is the gun lobby under scrutiny, but so are social media platforms like 8chan which have become breeding grounds for dangerous ideologies that have spilled over into real life with deadly consequences. President Donald Trump is facing heightened criticism for the similarities between his rhetoric and the shooter's anti-immigrant manifesto. Despite Trump's attempts to deflect criticism through tweets and a statement condemning white supremacy, the pressure on him to take responsibility and implement stricter gun laws continues to mount. There was a significant moment on Monday when former President Barack Obama released a statement, rare since leaving office, in which he called for gun control and a national rejection of racism and those who promote it. Obama emphasized the need to reject leaders who use fear and hatred in their language, demonize those who are different, or suggest that certain groups threaten our way of life. Although Obama did not mention any leaders by name, Democratic presidential candidates were quick to blame Trump for enabling extremists. Joe Biden, the current front-runner, accused Trump of encouraging white supremacy and dividing the country. Other political leaders also expressed their distress and alarm at the current situation. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City who has been a strong supporter of gun control, expressed in a column that recent tragic events involving guns should bring about a change in the political discussion on the issue. He criticized President 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 words as ineffective. Booker plans to address gun violence in a speech at a church in Charleston where a mass shooting took place in 2015. The issue of gun violence and racism is becoming increasingly important in various elections, with candidates like Mike Johnston in Colorado blaming Trump for creating a culture that encourages white nationalists. In the upcoming 2020 elections, candidates will need to take a clear stance on these issues. Johnston stated in an interview that people must choose between supporting white nationalists with AR-15s or the millions of Americans who fear them. Trump mentioned he was willing to consider bipartisan solutions to address gun violence, attributing the spread of harmful ideologies to the internet and social media. He expressed doubt about the effectiveness of gun restrictions, emphasizing his belief that mental illness and hatred, not guns, are responsible for violence. Trump's campaign defended the president against criticism, accusing Democrats of politicizing a time of national mourning and highlighting Trump's condemnation of racism and calls for measures to prevent future attacks. The campaign also pointed out that Bernie Sanders was not blamed when one of his supporters attempted to harm Republican lawmakers in 2017. He stated that the responsibility for such terrible attacks ultimately lies with those who carry them out. Many believe that Trump and his supporters are refusing to accept blame for the increase in extremist violence, as they have not fully distanced themselves from white supremacist groups. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre in March revealed that a majority of Americans, 56 percent, feel that Trump has not done enough to distance himself from white nationalist groups. Even some Republicans and Trump supporters agree with this sentiment. It is not just liberals who view the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton as a crisis and a test for Trump. The conservative National Review published an editorial urging Americans and the government to address the resurgence of white supremacy in the same way they have tackled Islamic terrorism. The magazine called on Trump to condemn these actions clearly and repeatedly. Frank Keating, a former Republican governor of Oklahoma who led his state through the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building, believes that the current moment requires both new gun restrictions and a new approach from the White House. He advised Trump to be cautious with his words to prevent spreading fear or provoking anger. Keating emphasized the importance of the president's role in being a moral leader, suggesting that he must condemn such acts and ensure they do not happen again. The impact of the El Paso shooting on national politics was uncertain, drawing parallels to the Oklahoma City bombing in the 1990s. Following that tragedy, President Bill Clinton delivered a powerful speech criticizing extreme right voices in America, which helped boost his image as a strong leader after a rocky start to his presidency. Trump has not shown any interest in taking on the role of a moral leader or reflecting on his use of divisive politics. After the white supremacist march in Charlottesville in 2017, Trump controversially stated that there were "very fine people on both sides" of the conflict. Recently, he has continued to attack minority groups without remorse, including Democratic members of Congress. Although many Republican lawmakers have not publicly criticized Trump after the recent shootings, there are private concerns within the party about the impact of his behavior on the 2020 elections. During the midterm elections last year, Trump focused on illegal immigration in his campaign, which ultimately led to a significant rejection of his party in cities and suburbs across the country. The final weeks of the 2018 elections were marked by two traumatic events that may have reinforced voters' concerns about the president's violent language and appeals to racism: a failed bombing attempt by a Trump supporter and a mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. Despite expressing sorrow over the Pittsburgh massacre, Trump continued his divisive messaging on the campaign trail. His rural and white political base remained loyal, even in the face of adversity. The Democratic presidential race, on the other hand, briefly united in the wake of the violence, highlighting the potential for the 2020 campaign to be defined by reactions to Trump's actions. Democrats acknowledged the need to confront political reality while also emphasizing the importance of unity in the face of tragedy. Governor Jay Inslee of Washington state expressed confidence in his party's ability to come together in the 2020 election following back-to-back debates. He compared the unifying force within his party to a black hole, pointing to the current White House occupant as a divisive figure.