🔗 Share this article

Personalities from across the partisan aisle and the entertainment industry are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his statements in the wake of the tragic deaths of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Post

After the couple were found dead at their Los Angeles residence, Trump took to social media to describe the late director as "tortured and suffering". In a post, he asserted Reiner's death was "because of the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable condition with a mind-crippling 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".

Police Developments and Detention

Police have since confirmed the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in relation to the incident. It is reported his bond was established at a significant sum.

A Torrent of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

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

“What a vile and despicable statement,” said public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, similarly condemned the remarks. Goldberg pointed to prior rhetoric from Trump about political violence, asking, "Do you have no shame? Can you get any lower?"

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

Echoing this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "He is a despicable piece of trash."

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

Rebuke from Within Political Ranks

A number of GOP lawmakers also expressed disapproval.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies". She also alluded to struggles with addiction and psychological well-being some families face.

Another GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disgraceful" considering the nature of the deaths. He openly dared members in his party to justify the comments.

The Director's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. During a previous interview, he stated Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the presidency. He had also cautioned about the risks of authoritarian rule if Trump return to power.

"There is autocracy on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "If we crumble, there’s a risk that democracy collapse around the world."

Regardless of his strong criticisms, Reiner had previously expressed "complete revulsion" and denounced political violence unequivocally following the shooting of another political figure.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a element of past connection, 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 story of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" while posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.