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Personalities from across the partisan divide and the entertainment industry are coming together to denounce former President Donald Trump for his comments following the tragic deaths of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Social Media Post

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Los Angeles home, Trump posted on social media to describe the deceased director as "anguished and struggling". In a post, he asserted Reiner's death was "because of the hostility he provoked others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's supposed "raging obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Update and Arrest

Police have since announced the detention of the couple's adult son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in relation to the case. Reports indicate his bail was set at a substantial amount.

A Wave of Criticism from Public Figures

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

This is a vile and vile comment,” remarked public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, similarly criticized the statements. She referenced previous rhetoric from Trump regarding political violence, asking, "Do you have no shame? Can you get any lower?"

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

Echoing this view, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "He is a despicable piece of trash."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just lost it. Now saying the Reiners caused their own demise because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from His Own Political Ranks

A number of Republican lawmakers also expressed dismay.

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

Fellow GOP representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disrespectful" given the circumstances. He publicly dared others in his political party to justify the comments.

Reiner's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. In a past interview, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also warned about the dangers of authoritarian rule if Trump be reelected to power.

"We see autocracy on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democratic systems crumble around the world."

Regardless of his pointed opposition, Reiner had in the past shown "absolute horror" and condemned political violence unequivocally following the shooting of a different 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 photograph for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously recounted the anecdote of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's demand for "special hairspray" as being photographed on a high-rise overlooking Central Park.