🔗 Share this article

Personalities from across the partisan aisle and the entertainment world are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments following the shocking deaths of renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Statement

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Los Angeles residence, Trump took to social media to describe the deceased director as "tortured and struggling". The message, he asserted Reiner's demise was "due to the hostility he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and untreatable condition with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments then pivoted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's supposed "raging obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump described as the "unprecedented era of America".

Law Enforcement Developments and Detention

Police have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on charges related to murder in connection with the incident. Reports indicate his bail was set at a significant amount.

A Wave of Criticism from Public Figures

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

This is a disgusting and vile comment,” remarked public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, similarly condemned the remarks. Goldberg pointed to prior rhetoric from Trump regarding political violence, demanding, "Have you no shame? Can you get any worse?"

The state of California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, simply stated, "He is a sick man."

Echoing this view, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "He is a despicable piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "Trump has just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they opposed him. Deeply disturbing."

Criticism from Within Political Ranks

A number of GOP elected officials also expressed dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about politics or rivals". Greene also alluded to challenges with substance abuse and psychological well-being within families.

Fellow Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "unacceptable and disrespectful" considering the nature of the deaths. He openly challenged others in his party to defend the comments.

Reiner's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. During a previous interview, he stated Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the office. He had also cautioned about the dangers of autocracy should Trump return to power.

"We see autocracy making its move around the world," Reiner said. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democracy collapse around the world."

Despite his pointed opposition, Reiner had in the past shown "absolute horror" and denounced political violence unequivocally after the killing of a different political figure.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a element of historical irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously recounted the story of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's request for "special hairspray" as posing on a skyscraper with a view of Central Park.