Obama urges Americans to reject leaders who ‘normalize’ racism

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.

The former US president has refrained from commenting on Mr Trump’s controversial rhetoric regarding migrants but he issued a statement on Monday.