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Figures from both sides of the partisan divide and the entertainment world are coming together to censure former President Donald Trump for his remarks following the tragic deaths of renowned director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Social Media Statement

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Los Angeles residence, Trump posted on his platform to label the late director as "anguished and suffering". In a post, he claimed Reiner's death was "because of the anger he caused others through his massive, relentless, and incurable condition with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

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

Police Developments and Detention

Police have since confirmed the detention of the couple's adult son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in relation to the incident. It is reported his bond was set at a substantial sum.

A Wave of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

The response to Trump's words was immediate and harsh.

“What a vile and despicable comment,” said public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also condemned the statements. She referenced prior rhetoric from Trump about political violence, demanding, "Have you no shame? Can you get any worse?"

The state of California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, simply wrote, "This is a disturbed man."

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

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying the Reiners brought on their own demise because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from His Own Political Ranks

Some GOP lawmakers also voiced disapproval.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". Greene also mentioned struggles with substance abuse and psychological well-being within families.

Another GOP representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disrespectful" given the nature of the deaths. He publicly challenged members in his party to defend the statements.

The Director's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal critic of Donald Trump. During a past interview, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also warned about the dangers of autocracy should Trump be reelected to power.

"There is autocracy making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "If we crumble, there’s a danger that democracy collapse around the world."

Despite his strong criticisms, Reiner had previously expressed "absolute horror" and condemned violence for political ends unequivocally following the shooting of a different individual.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of historical connection, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the cover image for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously shared the story of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's request for "special hairspray" as being photographed on a skyscraper with a view of Central Park.