🔗 Share this article

Personalities from both sides of the partisan aisle and the Hollywood world are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his statements following the tragic deaths of esteemed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Social Media Post

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood residence, Trump took to social media to describe the late director as "anguished and struggling". The post, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the hostility he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable condition with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post quickly shifted to self-praise, juxtaposing Reiner's supposed "intense obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".

Police Developments and Detention

Police have since confirmed the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in relation to the incident. It is reported his bail was set at a significant amount.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

The reaction to Trump's post was swift and harsh.

This is a appalling and vile statement,” said public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, also condemned the statements. Goldberg pointed to prior rhetoric from Trump regarding political violence, demanding, "Have you no decency? Can you get any worse?"

California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, simply wrote, "He is a disturbed man."

Echoing this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a despicable piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just lost it. Now implying the Reiners brought on their own demise because they opposed him. So sick."

Rebuke from His Own Party

Some Republican lawmakers also expressed dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". She also mentioned challenges with addiction and psychological well-being some families face.

Fellow Republican representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disrespectful" considering the circumstances. He publicly dared members in his political party to defend the comments.

The Director's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. During a previous conversation, he stated Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the office. He had also cautioned about the dangers of autocracy if Trump be reelected to power.

"There is authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a risk that democracy collapse around the world."

Regardless of his strong criticisms, Reiner had previously shown "absolute horror" and condemned violence for political ends unequivocally after the shooting of a different individual.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Providing a element of past irony, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the artist who shot the photograph for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously shared the story of the photo shoot, noting Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" while being photographed on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.