Outrage Surges as Trump's Comments on Rob Reiner Draws Sharp Criticism
Personalities from both sides of the partisan divide and the entertainment world are uniting to condemn Donald Trump for his remarks following the tragic passing of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.
An Inflammatory Social Media Post
Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Los Angeles home, Trump took to his platform to describe the late director as "tortured and suffering". The post, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the hostility he caused others through his enormous, relentless, and incurable affliction with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".
His comments then pivoted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's supposed "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".
Law Enforcement Update and Arrest
Police have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in connection with the case. It is reported his bond was established at a significant amount.
A Torrent of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians
The response to Trump's post was immediate and scathing.
This is a disgusting and vile statement,” remarked actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.
Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, similarly criticized the remarks. Goldberg referenced previous rhetoric from Trump about the killing of an activist, asking, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any lower?"
California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, simply stated, "This is a disturbed man."
Mirroring this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "He is a contemptible piece of trash."
Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying the Reiners brought on their own demise because they opposed him. Deeply disturbing."
Rebuke from Within Party
Some Republican elected officials also expressed dismay.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". Greene also mentioned challenges with addiction and psychological well-being within families.
Another GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disrespectful" considering the circumstances. He openly dared members in his party to justify the comments.
Reiner's Legacy and Stance on Trump
Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. In a past interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also warned about the risks of autocracy should Trump be reelected to power.
"There is authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner said. "Should the United States crumble, there’s a danger that democratic systems crumble around the world."
Regardless of his strong opposition, Reiner had previously shown "absolute horror" and condemned violence for political ends without reservation after the shooting of a different political figure.
A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal
Providing a layer of historical connection, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.
Rob Reiner had once shared the anecdote of the photo shoot, noting Trump's request for "special hairspray" as being photographed on a skyscraper with a view of Central Park.