Fury Surges as Trump's Comments on Director Rob Reiner Spurs Fierce Backlash
Figures from across the partisan spectrum and the entertainment industry are coming together to condemn former President Donald Trump for his remarks following the tragic deaths of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.
A Provocative Social Media Post
After the couple were found dead at their Los Angeles home, Trump posted on his platform to label the deceased director as "anguished and suffering". In a post, he claimed Reiner's death was "due to the hostility he provoked others through his enormous, unyielding, and untreatable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".
The post quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, juxtaposing Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "unprecedented era of America".
Law Enforcement Update and Detention
Police have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in relation to the case. It is reported his bail was established at a significant amount.
A Torrent of Criticism from Public Figures
The reaction to Trump's post was swift and harsh.
This is a appalling and despicable statement,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.
Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, similarly condemned the statements. Goldberg pointed to previous comments from Trump about political violence, asking, "Have you no shame? Can you get any worse?"
California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, simply stated, "This is a disturbed man."
Mirroring this view, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "He is a despicable piece of garbage."
Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just lost it. Now implying the Reiners brought on their own murder because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."
Criticism from His Own Party
Some Republican lawmakers also voiced dismay.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". Greene also mentioned challenges with substance abuse and mental health some families face.
Fellow GOP representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disgraceful" given the nature of the deaths. He publicly challenged others in his party to defend the comments.
The Director's Legacy and Stance on Trump
Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. In a past conversation, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also warned about the dangers of autocracy should Trump be reelected to power.
"We see autocracy on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States crumble, there’s a danger that democratic systems crumble around the world."
Regardless of his strong criticisms, Reiner had previously expressed "complete revulsion" and condemned political violence without reservation after the killing of another political figure.
A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal
Providing a layer of past irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the photographer who shot the cover image for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.
Rob Reiner had once recounted the story of the session, noting Trump's request for "special hairspray" as posing on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.