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Individuals from across the political aisle and the Hollywood world are uniting to denounce Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the tragic deaths of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Social Media Post

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood residence, Trump took to social media to label the late director as "anguished and struggling". The message, he asserted 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".

The post then pivoted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's supposed "raging obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Update and Detention

Authorities have since confirmed the detention of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in relation to the case. Reports indicate his bond was established at a significant sum.

A Wave of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

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

This is a disgusting and vile statement,” remarked actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, also condemned the remarks. She pointed to previous comments from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, 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."

Mirroring this view, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "He is a contemptible piece of trash."

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

Rebuke from His Own Political Ranks

Some Republican elected officials also expressed dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a family tragedy, not about politics or rivals". Greene also mentioned challenges with substance abuse and psychological well-being some families face.

Fellow GOP representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disgraceful" given the nature of the deaths. He publicly dared others in his party to defend the comments.

The Director's History and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. In a past conversation, he argued Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the office. He had also warned about the dangers of autocracy if Trump be reelected to power.

"We see authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner said. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democratic systems crumble around the world."

Regardless of his pointed criticisms, Reiner had in the past shown "complete revulsion" and denounced political violence unequivocally after the shooting of another individual.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Providing a element of past irony, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the artist who captured the cover image for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously recounted the story of the session, mentioning Trump's request for "special hairspray" while being photographed on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.