🔗 Share this article Condemnation Explodes as Former President Trump's Comments on Director Rob Reiner Draws Fierce Rebuke Individuals from across the partisan divide and the Hollywood world are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the shocking deaths of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. An Inflammatory Social Media Statement Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Brentwood home, Trump posted on social media to describe the late director as "tortured and struggling". The message, he claimed Reiner's death was "due to the anger he provoked others through his massive, unyielding, and untreatable affliction with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME". The post then pivoted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America". Law Enforcement Developments and Arrest Authorities have since announced the detention of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on suspicion of homicide in connection with the incident. It is reported his bail was established at a substantial sum. A Wave of Criticism from Public Figures The response to Trump's words was swift and scathing. This is a appalling and despicable comment,” said public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger. Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, similarly condemned the remarks. She pointed to previous rhetoric from Trump regarding political violence, asking, "Do you have no shame? Is it possible to get any worse?" California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly stated, "This is a disturbed man." Echoing this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a despicable piece of trash." Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just lost it. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own murder because they didn’t support him. So sick." Criticism from Within Political Ranks Some Republican elected officials also voiced disapproval. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a family tragedy, not about politics or rivals". Greene also mentioned challenges with addiction and mental health within families. Fellow Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disgraceful" considering the circumstances. He publicly challenged others in his political party to justify the statements. Reiner's Legacy and Stance on Trump Rob Reiner was long a vocal critic of Donald Trump. In a previous conversation, he argued Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the office. He had also cautioned about the risks of autocracy should Trump be reelected to power. "We see authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner said. "If we crumble, there’s a danger that democracy collapse around the world." Despite his strong criticisms, Reiner had previously shown "complete revulsion" and denounced political violence unequivocally following the killing of a different political figure. A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal Providing a element of historical irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who captured the cover image for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal. Rob Reiner had previously recounted the anecdote of the session, mentioning Trump's request for "special hairspray" as being photographed on a skyscraper with a view of Central Park.