🔗 Share this article Outrage Explodes as Former President Trump's Comments on Director Rob Reiner Spurs Widespread Rebuke Personalities from across the political aisle and the Hollywood world are uniting to denounce Donald Trump for his statements in the wake of the tragic deaths of esteemed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. A Provocative Social Media Statement Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Los Angeles residence, Trump took to social media to label the deceased director as "tortured and suffering". In a post, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the hostility he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable condition with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME". His comments then pivoted to self-praise, juxtaposing Reiner's alleged "intense obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump called the "unprecedented era of America". Police Update and Detention Authorities have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in connection with the incident. It is reported his bail was set at a significant sum. A Torrent of Criticism from Public Figures The response to Trump's post was immediate and harsh. “What a disgusting and vile comment,” said public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger. Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also condemned the remarks. Goldberg referenced prior comments from Trump regarding political violence, demanding, "Do you have no shame? Is it possible to get any lower?" The state of California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, simply stated, "He is a sick man." Mirroring this view, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a contemptible piece of garbage." Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just crossed a line. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they opposed him. So sick." Criticism from Within Political Ranks Some GOP elected officials also expressed disapproval. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". Greene also alluded to struggles with addiction and psychological well-being within families. Fellow Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disgraceful" given the nature of the deaths. He publicly dared others in his party to justify the comments. The Director's History and Views on Trump Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. In a previous conversation, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also cautioned about the dangers of authoritarian rule if Trump be reelected to power. "There is authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democracy crumble around the world." Despite his pointed opposition, Reiner had previously shown "complete revulsion" and condemned political violence unequivocally after the killing of another political figure. A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal Adding a element of historical irony, 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 once recounted the story of the photo shoot, noting Trump's demand for "special hairspray" as posing on a skyscraper with a view of Central Park.