🔗 Share this article

Personalities from both sides of the partisan spectrum and the entertainment industry are coming together to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments following the shocking deaths of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Online Post

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Los Angeles residence, Trump posted on his platform to describe the late director as "tortured and struggling". The message, he claimed Reiner's death was "because of the anger he provoked others through his massive, relentless, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's supposed "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Update and Detention

Authorities have since announced the detention of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in relation to the case. Reports indicate his bond was set at a substantial amount.

A Wave of Condemnation from Public Figures

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

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also condemned the statements. She referenced prior comments from Trump regarding political violence, asking, "Do you have no shame? Can you get any lower?"

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

Echoing this view, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a despicable piece of trash."

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

Rebuke from Within Party

A number of GOP elected officials also voiced disapproval.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". She also alluded to struggles with addiction and mental health within families.

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

Reiner's Legacy and Views on Trump

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

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

Regardless of his strong criticisms, Reiner had previously shown "absolute horror" and condemned violence for political ends without reservation after the killing of a different individual.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of historical irony, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the photographer who shot the cover image for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously recounted the anecdote of the session, noting Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" while posing on a high-rise overlooking Central Park.