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Figures from both sides of the partisan aisle and the Hollywood industry are uniting to denounce Donald Trump for his remarks following the tragic passing of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Social Media Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Los Angeles home, Trump took to social media to describe the deceased director as "tortured and suffering". In a post, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the hostility he provoked others through his enormous, unyielding, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's alleged "intense obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Update and Detention

Authorities have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on charges related to murder in connection with the incident. Reports indicate his bond was set at a substantial sum.

A Wave of Condemnation from Public Figures

The reaction to Trump's words was swift and harsh.

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also criticized the statements. Goldberg referenced previous comments from Trump regarding political violence, demanding, "Do you have no shame? Is it possible to get any worse?"

California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly stated, "He is a disturbed man."

Echoing this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "He is a despicable piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just lost it. Now implying the Reiners caused their own murder because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Rebuke from His Own Party

Some GOP lawmakers also expressed dismay.

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 some families face.

Another Republican representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disrespectful" considering the circumstances. He publicly challenged others in his political party to defend the comments.

Reiner's History and Views on Trump

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

"There is autocracy making its move around the world," Reiner said. "Should the United States fall, there’s a risk that democratic systems crumble around the world."

Regardless of his pointed criticisms, Reiner had previously shown "complete revulsion" and denounced violence for political ends without reservation following the shooting of another political figure.

A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal

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

Rob Reiner had once recounted the anecdote of the session, noting Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" as posing on a skyscraper with a view of Central Park.