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Figures from across the partisan aisle and the entertainment world are coming together to denounce former President Donald Trump for his comments following the tragic deaths of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Social Media Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Los Angeles residence, Trump posted on his platform to label the late director as "tortured and struggling". The message, he claimed Reiner's death was "because of the hostility he caused others through his massive, relentless, and incurable affliction with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to self-praise, juxtaposing Reiner's supposed "intense obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Update and Detention

Police have since announced the detention of the couple's adult son, Nick, on suspicion of homicide in relation to the incident. It is reported his bail was established at a significant amount.

A Torrent of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

The response to Trump's words was swift and scathing.

“What a appalling and despicable statement,” said public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, similarly criticized the statements. Goldberg pointed to previous comments from Trump regarding political violence, asking, "Have you no decency? Can you get any worse?"

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

Echoing this sentiment, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "He is a despicable piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just lost it. Now saying the Reiners caused their own demise because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from His Own Party

Some Republican lawmakers also expressed disapproval.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about politics or rivals". Greene also alluded to struggles with addiction and mental health within families.

Another GOP representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "unacceptable and disgraceful" given the circumstances. He openly challenged members in his party to defend the statements.

The Director's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. In a previous conversation, he argued Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the presidency. He had also warned about the risks of autocracy if Trump be reelected to power.

"There is autocracy on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States fall, there’s a danger that democracy crumble around the world."

Despite his pointed criticisms, Reiner had in the past expressed "absolute horror" and condemned violence for political ends unequivocally after the killing of a different individual.

An Ironic Link: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of past irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who shot the cover image for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously shared the story of the session, noting Trump's request for "a specific hair product" as posing on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.