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Personalities from across the partisan divide and the Hollywood industry are uniting to denounce Donald Trump for his comments following the tragic deaths of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Online Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood residence, Trump took to his platform to label the late director as "anguished and struggling". The post, he asserted Reiner's demise was "because of the hostility he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and untreatable condition with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post quickly shifted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's alleged "intense obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "unprecedented era of America".

Police Update and Detention

Authorities have since announced the detention of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on charges related to murder in relation to the case. It is reported his bail was established at a significant amount.

A Wave of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

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

This is a appalling and vile statement,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, similarly criticized the remarks. She referenced previous rhetoric from Trump about the killing of an activist, demanding, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any worse?"

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

Echoing this view, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a contemptible piece of trash."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying the Reiners caused their own murder because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Rebuke from Within Political Ranks

Some GOP lawmakers also expressed disapproval.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". Greene also alluded to challenges with addiction and psychological well-being within families.

Another Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disrespectful" considering the circumstances. He openly dared others in his party to justify the comments.

Reiner's History and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. In a past interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also warned about the dangers of autocracy should Trump return to power.

"We see authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner said. "Should the United States crumble, there’s a danger that democracy collapse around the world."

Regardless of his strong opposition, Reiner had in the past shown "complete revulsion" and condemned violence for political ends unequivocally after the killing of a different individual.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Providing a layer of historical irony, 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 once recounted the anecdote of the session, mentioning Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" while being photographed on a high-rise overlooking Central Park.