Personalities from across the partisan spectrum and the entertainment world are coming together to condemn former President Donald Trump for his remarks in the wake of the shocking passing of esteemed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.
Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Los Angeles home, Trump took to social media to label the late director as "tortured and struggling". In a post, he claimed Reiner's death was "due to the hostility he caused others through his enormous, unyielding, and untreatable condition with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".
The post then pivoted to praising his own achievements, juxtaposing Reiner's supposed "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".
Authorities have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in relation to the incident. Reports indicate his bail was established at a significant sum.
The reaction to Trump's words was immediate and scathing.
This is a vile and despicable comment,” remarked actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.
Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, also criticized the statements. Goldberg pointed to previous rhetoric from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, demanding, "Have you no decency? Can you get any worse?"
California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly wrote, "He is a disturbed man."
Mirroring this view, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a despicable piece of trash."
Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own demise because they opposed him. Deeply disturbing."
Some GOP lawmakers also voiced dismay.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a personal tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". She also alluded to challenges with substance abuse and psychological well-being some families face.
Fellow GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disgraceful" given the circumstances. He publicly challenged others in his party to defend the comments.
Rob Reiner was long a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. In a past conversation, he stated Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the office. He had also cautioned about the risks of autocracy if Trump return to power.
"We see authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States fall, there’s a risk that democracy crumble around the world."
Despite his strong opposition, Reiner had previously shown "absolute horror" and condemned violence for political ends unequivocally after the shooting of another political figure.
Adding a layer of historical connection, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who captured the cover image for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.
Rob Reiner had once shared the story of the session, mentioning Trump's demand for "special hairspray" as posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.
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