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Personalities from across the partisan aisle and the Hollywood industry are coming together to censure former President Donald Trump for his remarks in the wake of the tragic deaths of renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Social Media Post

After the couple were found deceased at their Los Angeles home, Trump took to his platform to describe the deceased director as "tortured and suffering". In a post, he claimed Reiner's death was "because of the anger he provoked others through his massive, relentless, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments then pivoted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's alleged "intense obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Police Update and Arrest

Police have since confirmed the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in connection with the case. Reports indicate his bail was set at a substantial amount.

A Wave of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

The reaction to Trump's post was immediate and harsh.

This is a vile and despicable comment,” remarked public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, similarly condemned the statements. She referenced prior rhetoric from Trump regarding political violence, asking, "Do you have no decency? Is it possible to get any worse?"

California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, simply wrote, "This is a sick man."

Mirroring this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a despicable piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own demise because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Party

A number of Republican lawmakers also voiced dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". She also alluded to struggles with substance abuse and mental health within families.

Another Republican representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "unacceptable and disrespectful" considering the nature of the deaths. He openly dared members in his political party to defend the comments.

Reiner's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. During a previous interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also cautioned about the risks of authoritarian rule if Trump return to power.

"There is authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States crumble, there’s a risk that democracy collapse around the world."

Regardless of his pointed criticisms, Reiner had in the past expressed "absolute horror" and condemned political violence without reservation following the killing of a different individual.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Providing a layer of past irony, Michele Reiner, previously 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 "a specific hair product" as posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.