🔗 Share this article

Figures from across the partisan divide and the entertainment world are uniting to condemn Donald Trump for his statements following the tragic deaths of renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood home, Trump posted on social media to label the late director as "tortured and suffering". The post, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the anger he provoked others through his enormous, relentless, and untreatable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "unprecedented era of America".

Police Developments and Arrest

Police have since confirmed the detention of the couple's adult son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in connection with the case. Reports indicate his bail was established at a substantial amount.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Public Figures

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

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, similarly criticized the remarks. She pointed to prior rhetoric from Trump about the killing of an activist, demanding, "Have you no decency? Can you get any worse?"

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

Mirroring this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "He is a contemptible piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just lost it. Now implying the Reiners brought on their own murder because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Political Ranks

Some GOP elected officials also expressed disapproval.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about politics or rivals". She also alluded to struggles with addiction and mental health some families face.

Another GOP representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disgraceful" considering the circumstances. He openly challenged members in his party to defend the comments.

Reiner's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. During a past interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also warned about the risks of autocracy should Trump return to power.

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

Regardless of his strong opposition, Reiner had previously expressed "absolute horror" and denounced violence for political ends unequivocally after the killing of a different political figure.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Providing a element of historical connection, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once shared the anecdote of the session, noting Trump's request for "special hairspray" as posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.