(CNN) The worst terror attack on U.S. soil since 9/11 offered a glimpse into just how contentious -- and unseemly -- the November race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton is likely to be.

The rivals dueled in a flurry of television interviews Monday, battling for political advantage in the aftermath of a rampage at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando that left 49 people dead despite the risk of being seen as exploiting one of the most traumatic days in the nation's recent history.

Trump seized on the chance to bolster his campaign after several weeks of self-inflicted wounds. In an interview with CNN's "New Day," he warned there were "thousands of people" in the United States with "hate in their heart" and complained those in Muslim communities had not reported "mad" men like the Orlando shooter to the police or the FBI.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee dismissed calls for new gun laws to stop terrorists buying weapons, saying: "If you had guns on the other side, you wouldn't have had the tragedy you had," and blasted Clinton and President Barack Obama, arguing they had facilitated such tragedies.

"We have very weak leadership," he said. "Hillary will be weaker than Obama if she got in."

In an interview on Fox News, Trump seemed to suggest that Obama, who labeled the attack an "act of terror," was somehow complicit in the massacre.

"We're led by a man that either is not tough, not smart, or he's got something else in mind," Trump said. "People can't believe it ... They can't believe that President Obama is acting the ways he acts and can't ... mention the words radical Islamic terrorism. There's something going on. It's inconceivable."

Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, framed Trump's response as proof that he was temperamentally unsuited to lead the nation.

In an interview on "New Day," she warned Trump's rhetoric was "quite dangerous for our country," and dismissed his accusations that she was frightened to use the words "radical Islamic terrorism" -- a frequent Republican charge.

"It matters what we do more than what we say and it mattered we got bin Laden, not what name we called him," Clinton said.

"I have clearly said ... whether you call it radical Jihadism or radical Islamism, I'm happy to say either. I think they mean the same thing," said Clinton, who also called for new restrictions to make it harder for home-grown terrorists to get guns.

On CBS' "This Morning," Clinton said Trump was obsessed with name calling and faulted his response to the attacks, saying: "We also have to get this out of partisanship -- it's a moment for statesmanship."

Trump's tough talk was similar to the rhetoric he adopted after attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California. His proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the U.S. in the aftermath of the San Bernardino attacks, for instance, resonated deeply with the GOP primary electorate.

Seeking to steal the momentum from the Clinton campaign, Trump ditched plans to make a speech Monday castigating the former first lady and husband Bill Clinton. Instead, he will deliver a major address in New Hampshire on the terrorist attack, immigration and national security.

Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden place flowers at a memorial Thursday, June 16, for the victims of the nightclub shooting in Orlando. At least 49 people were killed in the massacre, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Hide Caption 1 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack People remember the victims during a vigil at an LGBT community center in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday, June 14. Hide Caption 2 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Jean Dasilva, left, is comforted by Felipe Soto as they mourn the loss of their friend Javier Jorge-Reyes on June 14. They were visiting a makeshift memorial at Pulse, the gay nightclub where the shooting took place. Hide Caption 3 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Britain's Prince William and his wife, Catherine, sign a book of condolences at the U.S. Embassy in London on June 14. Hide Caption 4 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack A vigil for the Orlando victims is held in New Delhi on June 14. Hide Caption 5 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Thousands gather in Orlando on Monday, June 13, to pay tribute to those who were killed the day before. Hide Caption 6 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack The Eiffel Tower in Paris is illuminated in rainbow colors on June 13. Hide Caption 7 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack A woman lights a candle during a vigil in Sydney on June 13. Hide Caption 8 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Runners pass under half-staff flags at the Washington Monument on June 13. Hide Caption 9 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Glyn T. Davies, right, gestures to members of the LGBT community outside the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 13. They were holding a vigil for the victims. Hide Caption 10 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Students in Mumbai, India, light candles near a rangoli, an Indian form of art created on the ground, on June 13. Hide Caption 11 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack White roses and rainbow flags are displayed in front of the U.S. Embassy in Berlin on June 13. Hide Caption 12 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack People gather for a vigil in Seoul, South Korea, on June 13. Hide Caption 13 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack The city of Melbourne posted this image on its Twitter account June 13 "as a mark of respect for those touched by the attack in Orlando. Town Hall is lit in the rainbow #LoveIsLove." Hide Caption 14 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Mourners hold an LED sign as they march during a vigil in Dallas on Sunday, June 12. Hide Caption 15 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the musical "Hamilton," delivers a sonnet at the Tony Awards to pay tribute to the Orlando victims. Hide Caption 16 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack A rainbow flag flies at half-staff on the Space Needle in Seattle on June 12. Hide Caption 17 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Henry Duong pays tribute during a memorial service in San Diego. Hide Caption 18 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack One World Trade Center is lit in rainbow colors June 12 in New York. Hide Caption 19 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Mourners hold up signs during a vigil in Washington on June 12. Hide Caption 20 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Mourners gather during a vigil in front of the White House on June 12. President Barack Obama called the mass shooting an "act of terror" in remarks to the nation. Hide Caption 21 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Two women light candles during a vigil in front of the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile, on June 12. Hide Caption 22 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Mourners observe a moment of silence during a vigil in Atlanta. Hide Caption 23 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Ryan Gibson, left, embraces Tabor Winstead during a vigil in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 12. Hide Caption 24 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack A man injured in the attack stands with other mourners as they attend a memorial service at an Orlando church. Hide Caption 25 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack Participants in the Los Angeles gay pride parade show their support for the victims on June 12. Hide Caption 26 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack People hold candles near Rome's Colosseum as they take part in a ceremony on June 12. Hide Caption 27 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack A man places a handprint on a makeshift memorial near the nightclub where the attack took place. Hide Caption 28 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack People gather for a vigil June 12 outside the Stonewall Inn in New York. Stonewall is considered the birthplace of the gay rights movement. Hide Caption 29 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack People gather in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to mourn the Orlando victims on June 12. Hide Caption 30 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack People gather for a vigil near the Beaubourg art center in Paris on June 12. Hide Caption 31 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack People line up to donate blood at a blood bank in Orlando. Hide Caption 32 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack People show their support for Orlando during the Los Angeles gay pride parade. Hide Caption 33 of 34 Photos: World reacts to Orlando attack The Rev. Jeffrey Montoya leads a prayer in Greenfield, Wisconsin, on June 12. Hide Caption 34 of 34

The Clinton campaign quickly moved to head off the Trump offensive, making clear that the she would soon lay out her own ideas for combating the evolving threat from home-grown terrorism and dismissed Trump's bid to use the attack to bolster his political prospects.

"This act of terror is the largest mass shooting in American history and a tragedy that requires a serious response," said Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmieri in a statement.

"In contrast, Donald Trump put out political attacks, weak platitudes and self-congratulations," Palmieri said. "Trump has offered no real plans to keep our nation safe and no outreach to the Americans targeted, just insults and attacks. In times of crisis more than ever, Americans are looking for leadership and deserve better."

At the same time, the Clinton camp absorbed a political blow in canceling a planned first joint campaign appearance with Obama on Wednesday in Wisconsin.

The political maneuvering comes after several weeks of bad news for Trump, and his swift mobilization in the aftermath of the horrific attack recalled his nimble topic-shifting on fast-developing dramas during his successful Republican primary campaign. Until now, he has proved less adept at quick subject changes under the increased scrutiny of the general election fight.

The real estate magnate has been under fire from Clinton for several weeks over his personality, temperament, conduct towards women, perceived lack of foreign policy knowledge and allegations of impropriety in his business history.

He has simultaneously faced condemnation from senior members of his own party over missteps, including his comments that a U.S.-born judge with Mexican ancestry is biased against him in a civil suit focusing on Trump University.

But the resurgent fear of terrorism, which will likely dominate the news agenda for days, provides Trump politically safer ground.

Tough talk on terror is a cause behind which many Republicans, even those skeptical of Trump, can unite. And the shooting offers at least the prospect of reversing Obama's rising approval ratings, which are currently above 50% and therefore helpful to Clinton.