Washington, Aug 6 (TIWN) Former US President Barack Obama has called on Americans to reject language from any of their leaders that feeds hatred or normalises racism.

Mr Obama did not name anyone but his rare comments came after President Donald Trump sought to deflect criticism that his anti-immigrant rhetoric had fuelled violence.  In a speech on Monday, Mr Trump condemned hatred and white supremacy.  He was speaking after 31 people died in mass shootings in Texas and Ohio.  While in office, Mr Obama fought unsuccessfully to restrict gun ownership. He told the BBC in 2015 that his failure to pass "common sense gun safety laws" had been the greatest frustration of his presidency.