🔗 Share this article

Personalities from both sides of the partisan aisle and the Hollywood industry are uniting to censure former President Donald Trump for his comments following the shocking passing of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Online Statement

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

The post quickly shifted to self-praise, juxtaposing Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump called the "unprecedented era of America".

Police Update and Arrest

Authorities have since confirmed the detention of the couple's adult son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident. It is reported his bond was established at a significant amount.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Public Figures

The response to Trump's post was immediate and scathing.

This is a vile and vile statement,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, similarly condemned the remarks. She pointed to previous rhetoric from Trump regarding political violence, asking, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any lower?"

The state of California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, simply wrote, "This is a disturbed man."

Mirroring this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a despicable piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Criticism from His Own Party

A number of Republican lawmakers also expressed disapproval.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a personal tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". She also mentioned struggles with substance abuse and mental health some families face.

Another GOP representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disgraceful" given the circumstances. He openly dared others in his party to justify the comments.

Reiner's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. In a past interview, he stated Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the office. He had also cautioned about the risks of autocracy if Trump be reelected to power.

"We see autocracy on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a risk that democracy crumble around the world."

Despite his strong criticisms, Reiner had in the past expressed "complete revulsion" and condemned political violence without reservation following the shooting of another political figure.

An Ironic Link: The Art of the Deal

Providing a layer of past connection, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously recounted the anecdote of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's demand for "special hairspray" while posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.