🔗 Share this article

Personalities from both sides of the partisan divide and the Hollywood world are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the tragic passing of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Social Media Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood home, Trump took to social media to describe the late director as "anguished and suffering". In a message, he claimed Reiner's demise was "due to the anger he provoked others through his massive, unyielding, and untreatable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

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

Law Enforcement Update and Detention

Police have since confirmed the detention of the couple's 32-year-old son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in relation to the case. It is reported his bond was set at a substantial amount.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Public Figures

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

“What a disgusting and despicable comment,” said public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, similarly condemned the statements. Goldberg referenced previous rhetoric from Trump about political violence, demanding, "Do you have no shame? Can you get any worse?"

California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly stated, "He is a disturbed man."

Echoing this sentiment, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a contemptible piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own demise because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from Within Party

Some Republican lawmakers also expressed dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about politics or rivals". She also mentioned challenges with addiction and mental health within families.

Another Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disgraceful" given the nature of the deaths. He publicly dared others in his political party to defend the statements.

Reiner's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. During a previous conversation, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also cautioned about the risks of autocracy should Trump be reelected to power.

"We see authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner said. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democratic systems crumble around the world."

Regardless of his strong opposition, Reiner had in the past expressed "absolute horror" and denounced political violence unequivocally following the shooting of a different individual.

A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal

Providing a element of past irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who shot the cover image for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously shared the anecdote of the session, noting Trump's request for "a specific hair product" while posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.