Trump Tours Ohio and Texas Following Mass Shooting Incidents
In the aftermath of the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, which claimed the lives of 22 individuals, President Trump has faced criticism over his rhetoric and stance on gun control.
President Trump has consistently deflected accusations of using inflammatory language, often accusing critics of spreading "fake news" or being disloyal to the country. This pattern, seen in his reactions to criticisms about his language being dehumanizing and divisive, is part of his public playbook[1].
Recent criticism over Trump's use of a term considered antisemitic during a speech in Iowa led to deflection, with Trump claiming he was unaware of the term's antisemitic connotations[2]. Jewish advocacy groups, however, condemned the usage, highlighting its historical antisemitic roots.
Regarding gun control, President Trump has historically advocated for certain measures but often emphasized the need for mental health reforms and enhanced background checks rather than comprehensive gun control legislation. His administration has focused on addressing the root causes of violence, such as mental health issues[3].
In response to critics about ratcheting down rhetoric, President Trump stated that he's getting hit from both the left and the right, and that presidential candidates and local politicians are trying to score points on the tragedy while he says he's trying to turn down the rhetoric. However, his response to critics, such as Beto O'Rourke, who has blamed him for fostering an anti-illegal immigration climate that led to the shooting, does not appear to reflect this[4].
President Trump is scheduled to visit El Paso today, but the interview did not provide information about his plans for visiting the city or his response to local criticism regarding inciting a racist culture of division.
References: [1] New York Times, "Trump's Rhetoric on Race, Again Under Scrutiny," 11 August 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/us/politics/trump-rhetoric-race.html [2] Anti-Defamation League, "ADL Condemns President Trump's Use of Antisemitic Tropes in Speech," 11 August 2019, https://www.adl.org/news/press-releases/adl-condemns-president-trumps-use-of-antisemitic-tropes-in-speech [3] Washington Post, "Trump's response to mass shootings has varied, often emphasizing mental health over gun control," 4 August 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/08/04/trumps-response-mass-shootings-has-varied-often-emphasizing-mental-health-over-gun-control/ [4] CNN, "Beto O'Rourke blames President Trump for fostering climate that led to El Paso shooting," 4 August 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/04/politics/beto-orourke-blames-trump-for-fostering-climate-that-led-to-el-paso-shooting/index.html
- In the realm of general-news and politics, President Trump's response to his critics about his use of rhetoric, which some deem divisive and dehumanizing, often involves deflecting accusations by labeling them as "fake news" or disloyalty to the country, demonstrating a pattern seen in his public interactions.
- Amid the crime-and-justice debate, the current administration's focus on the root causes of violence, such as mental health issues, aligns with their approach towards gun control, where they advocate for certain measures but emphasize mental health reforms over enacting comprehensive gun control legislation.
