President Trump has claimed his rhetoric is not to blame for mass shootings in the US.

Mr Trump told reporters in Washington that his verbal style "brings people together".

It follows claims he stoked anti-immigrant sentiment before last weekend's shootings in Ohio and Texas - where more than 30 people died.

Dismissing suggestions he bears some responsibility for divisions in the US, he said his critics were "looking for political gain".

Biden: Trump 'fans flames of white supremacy'

But Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden, speaking in Iowa, drew a link between Mr Trump's language on immigration and what happened in Texas.


He told supporters at a rally: "How far is it from Trump saying this is an 'invasion', to the shooter in El Paso declaring 'this attack is a response to Hispanic invasion of Texas'."

Mr Trump had "fanned the flames of white supremacy in this nation", Mr Biden claimed.

Image: Donald and Melania Trump arrived in El Paso after first visiting Dayton

Image: Donald Trump has said there is 'no political appetite' to ban assault rifles

As the president arrived in Ohio, protesters chanted "do something" and flew a blimp of the president, wrapped with the message: "Stop being a baby and stand up to the National Rifle Association."

A man held a banner reading "No Gun No Trigger" - a reference, perhaps, to Mr Trump's comment earlier in the week that "mental illness and hatred pulls the trigger - not the gun".

Mr Trump and the first lady visited survivors at Dayton's Miami Valley Hospital, where at least 200 protesters gathered outside.

They stopped "between rooms to thank the hardworking medical staff. Very powerful moments for all!", tweeted White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham.

Nine people were shot dead outside a bar in Dayton by suspect Connor Betts, 24, who was killed by police within 30 seconds of beginning the attack.

Mr Trump was also met by protests when he arrived in El Paso, Texas.

Twenty-two people were killed in the city by suspected gunman Patrick Crusius, 21, during a massacre at a Walmart store.

The internet is 'radicalising disturbed minds'

Mr Biden told his audience that "the words of a president matter".

"They can bring peace," he said. "They can calm a nation in turmoil.

"They can also unleash the deepest darkest forces in this nation, and that's what I believe Donald Trump has chosen to do."

We love you Dayton, Ohio! pic.twitter.com/IaCZAdyuzL — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2019

Former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke has also been among those criticising the president, saying his language promotes racial division and violence.

The president has insisted he is "concerned about the rise of any group of hate" in the US.

Mr Trump has been criticised for depicting immigrants as "invaders" and telling four non-white Democrat congresswomen to "go back" to "their broken and crime-infested countries".

He has also been embroiled in a row with African-American Democrat congressman Elijah Cummings, describing his district in Maryland as a "disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess".

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Before leaving Washington for Dayton, the president said: "My critics are political people. These are people that are looking for political gain."

And while he said he was "looking to do background checks" on gun purchases after the shootings, Mr Trump claimed there was "no political appetite" to introduce legislation banning assault rifles.

"I can tell you that there is no political appetite for that at this moment - but I will certainly bring that up," he said.

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"There is a great appetite, and I mean a very strong appetite, for background checks."

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Mr Trump has placed the blame for the shootings over the weekend on mental health, video games and the internet, saying it is "radicalising disturbed minds".