🔗 Share this article

Figures from across the political divide and the entertainment world are uniting to denounce former President Donald Trump for his comments following the tragic passing of esteemed 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 label the deceased director as "anguished and struggling". In a post, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the hostility 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 supposed "intense obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "unprecedented era of America".

Law Enforcement Developments and Arrest

Police have since announced the detention of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in connection with the incident. Reports indicate his bail was established at a substantial sum.

A Wave of Condemnation from Public Figures

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

“What a vile and despicable comment,” remarked public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, also criticized the remarks. Goldberg referenced previous comments from Trump regarding political violence, asking, "Have you no decency? Can you get any worse?"

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

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

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own demise because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Rebuke from Within Party

Some Republican elected officials also voiced dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about politics or rivals". Greene also mentioned challenges with substance abuse and psychological well-being some families face.

Another Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disgraceful" considering the nature of the deaths. He publicly dared others in his party to justify the comments.

Reiner's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. In a previous interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also cautioned about the dangers of autocracy should Trump be reelected to power.

"We see authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democracy collapse around the world."

Despite his strong criticisms, Reiner had previously shown "absolute horror" and denounced political violence without reservation after the killing of another individual.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

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

Rob Reiner had previously recounted the story of the session, mentioning Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" as being photographed on a high-rise overlooking Central Park.