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Personalities from both sides of the partisan aisle and the entertainment world are uniting to censure former President Donald Trump for his comments following the shocking passing of renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Post

After the couple were found dead at their Los Angeles home, Trump posted on social media to label the deceased director as "anguished and suffering". The message, he claimed Reiner's demise was "because of the hostility he provoked others through his enormous, unyielding, and untreatable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments then pivoted to self-praise, juxtaposing Reiner's alleged "intense obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump described as the "unprecedented era of America".

Law Enforcement Update and Detention

Police have since announced the detention of the couple's 32-year-old son, Nick, on suspicion of homicide in connection with the incident. It is reported his bond was set at a significant amount.

A Wave of Criticism from Public Figures

The response to Trump's post was immediate and scathing.

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

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, also criticized the remarks. Goldberg referenced previous comments from Trump regarding political violence, demanding, "Have you no shame? Is it possible to get any lower?"

California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly wrote, "This is a sick man."

Mirroring this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a contemptible 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. Deeply disturbing."

Criticism from Within Party

Some Republican elected officials also voiced dismay.

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

Another Republican representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disgraceful" given the nature of the deaths. He publicly dared members in his party to justify the comments.

Reiner's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. In a past conversation, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" 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 said. "If we crumble, there’s a danger that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Regardless of his strong criticisms, Reiner had in the past expressed "absolute horror" and denounced political violence unequivocally following the killing of another political figure.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

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

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