🔗 Share this article Outrage Surges as Trump's Post on Director Rob Reiner Draws Widespread Backlash Individuals from across the political divide and the entertainment industry are coming together to denounce Donald Trump for his remarks following the tragic passing of esteemed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. A Provocative Online Statement After the couple were found dead at their Los Angeles residence, Trump took to social media to describe the late director as "anguished and struggling". The message, he asserted Reiner's demise 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 quickly shifted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's supposed "intense obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump called the "unprecedented era of America". Police Update and Arrest Police have since announced the detention of the couple's adult son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in relation to the incident. Reports indicate his bond was set at a significant sum. A Wave of Condemnation from Public Figures The reaction to Trump's words was immediate and scathing. This is a vile and vile statement,” remarked public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger. Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also criticized the statements. She pointed to prior comments from Trump about political violence, asking, "Have you no decency? Can you get any lower?" California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, simply wrote, "He is a sick man." Echoing this sentiment, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "He is a contemptible piece of garbage." Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own demise because they didn’t support him. So sick." Rebuke from His Own Political Ranks A number of Republican lawmakers also expressed disapproval. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". She also mentioned struggles with substance abuse and mental health some families face. Another GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "unacceptable and disrespectful" given the nature of the deaths. He publicly dared members in his party to defend the comments. Reiner's History and Views on Trump Rob Reiner was long a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. In a past interview, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also cautioned about the risks of authoritarian rule should Trump be reelected to power. "There is autocracy making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States fall, there’s a danger that democratic systems collapse around the world." Regardless of his strong criticisms, Reiner had in the past shown "absolute horror" and denounced violence for political ends unequivocally following the killing of another political figure. A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal Adding a layer of past connection, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the artist who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal. Rob Reiner had once recounted the anecdote of the session, mentioning Trump's request for "special hairspray" while being photographed on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.