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Individuals from both sides of the partisan aisle and the entertainment world are coming together to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the shocking passing of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Social Media Post

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Los Angeles residence, Trump took to social media to label the late director as "anguished and struggling". In a post, he asserted Reiner's demise was "because of the anger he provoked others through his massive, relentless, and untreatable condition with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments then pivoted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Update and Detention

Police have since confirmed the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in connection with the incident. Reports indicate his bond was set at a significant sum.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

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

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also criticized the remarks. Goldberg referenced previous rhetoric from Trump about political violence, asking, "Do you have no shame? Can you get any lower?"

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

Echoing this view, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a despicable piece of trash."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own murder because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Criticism from Within Party

A number of GOP elected officials also voiced disapproval.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". She also mentioned struggles with addiction and mental health within families.

Fellow GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disgraceful" given the nature of the deaths. He openly dared members in his party to justify the statements.

The Director's History and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. In a past conversation, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also cautioned about the risks of autocracy should Trump be reelected to power.

"We see authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States crumble, there’s a risk that democratic systems crumble around the world."

Despite his strong opposition, Reiner had in the past expressed "complete revulsion" and condemned violence for political ends without reservation after the shooting of another individual.

An Ironic Link: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of historical irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist 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 demand for "a specific hair product" as posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.