Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump had his target set when he raised the bogey of terrorism throughout his campaign. The billionaire even advocated for a ban on Muslims entry into the United States but he had to mellow down after vehement criticism from the civil society and the international community. The maverick leader had confined his pet peeves to economic policies ever since he consolidated enough support to ensure his candidacy.
However, the massacre at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida has changed all that overnight. Terrorism is back on the table, as evident by Trump's reaction to the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. “Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism, I don't want congrats, I want toughness & vigilance. We must be smart!”he said in a no-holds-barred attack. “What has happened in Orlando is just the beginning. Our leadership is weak and ineffective. I called it and asked for the ban. Must be tough,” he also said.
He followed up the tirade with tweets against President Barack Obama and the U.S. administration. Trump showed no hesitation, quite predictably, in putting the community in the dock.
The post 9/11 U.S. psyche is characterized by fear psychosis. Anything alien is terrorizing. The Orlando massacre just added fuel to that fire.
Trump’s racist comments on Mexicans coming to America with a record of crime and drug peddling find acceptance in the American society because of this mass fear. That prompts many analysts to predict that the gunman’s action could determine the outcome of the election.
President Obama and Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton were reserved in their comments though. Obama called the Orlando attack an act of terror but stood his ground on gun control policy. Obama's policy to regulate the use of guns is yet to get Congress's full approval. Clinton has also advocated for an end to the rampant use of guns. Trump, again predictably, came out with allegations that Obama and Clinton were following a soft and weak policy.
Trump highlights that the Orlando shooter was of Afghan-origin and an admirer of ISIS. He also said that the second generation of the migrant families have to be screened and the entry of people from the middle east should be temporarily halted.
Clinton has an advantage of just 3-4 percent over Trump, according to opinion polls, suggesting a close race for the White House. That explains Trump’s eagerness to cash in on the fear and disgust after the mass shooting. He will continue fanning the fears of the average American.
Democrats and well as the liberals have their task cut out. The question is, how will they resist Trump.
