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Individuals from across the political divide and the Hollywood world are coming together to condemn former President Donald Trump for his statements in the wake of the tragic deaths of esteemed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Social Media Post

After the couple were found deceased at their Brentwood home, Trump posted on his platform to label the late director as "tortured and struggling". In a post, he asserted Reiner's demise was "because of the anger he caused others through his enormous, relentless, and incurable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments then pivoted to self-praise, juxtaposing Reiner's supposed "intense obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump called the "unprecedented era of America".

Law Enforcement Developments and Detention

Police have since confirmed the detention of the couple's adult son, Nick, on charges related to murder in relation to the incident. Reports indicate his bail was set at a significant sum.

A Wave of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

The reaction to Trump's words was immediate and scathing.

“What a disgusting and vile statement,” remarked actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, also condemned the remarks. She referenced prior rhetoric from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, asking, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any worse?"

The state of California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, simply stated, "He is a sick man."

Echoing this view, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a despicable piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just crossed a line. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own demise because they opposed him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Party

Some Republican elected officials also voiced dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a personal tragedy, not about politics or political enemies". Greene also mentioned struggles with addiction and psychological well-being some families face.

Fellow GOP representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disgraceful" considering the circumstances. He publicly challenged members in his political party to defend the statements.

The Director's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal critic of Donald Trump. In a past conversation, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also warned about the risks of authoritarian rule should Trump be reelected to power.

"We see autocracy on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democracy collapse around the world."

Regardless of his pointed criticisms, Reiner had in the past expressed "absolute horror" and denounced violence for political ends unequivocally after the killing of another individual.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Providing a layer of past irony, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the artist who shot the photograph for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once recounted the anecdote of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's demand for "special hairspray" as posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.