🔗 Share this article

Figures from both sides of the partisan divide and the Hollywood world are uniting to censure Donald Trump for his statements following the tragic passing of esteemed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Post

After the couple were found deceased at their Los Angeles home, Trump took to social media to label the deceased director as "anguished and suffering". In a post, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the anger he provoked others through his enormous, relentless, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

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

Police Update and Arrest

Police have since confirmed the detention of the couple's adult son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in relation to the incident. It is reported his bail was set at a significant amount.

A Wave of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

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

“What a disgusting and despicable comment,” remarked actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, similarly criticized the statements. Goldberg referenced prior comments from Trump regarding political violence, demanding, "Have you no decency? Is it possible to get any worse?"

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

Echoing this view, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a despicable piece of trash."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just lost it. Now saying the Reiners caused their own murder because they opposed him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Political Ranks

A number of GOP elected officials also expressed dismay.

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

Fellow Republican representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disrespectful" considering the nature of the deaths. He publicly challenged members in his political party to defend the statements.

Reiner's History and Stance on Trump

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

"There is authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a risk that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Despite his strong criticisms, Reiner had in the past shown "complete revulsion" and denounced violence for political ends unequivocally after the shooting of a different individual.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

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

Rob Reiner had previously recounted the story of the session, mentioning Trump's demand for "special hairspray" as posing on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.