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Personalities from both sides of the political divide and the entertainment industry are coming together to censure former President Donald Trump for his statements in the wake of the tragic passing of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Social Media Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood residence, Trump took to social media to describe the deceased director as "tortured and struggling". The message, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the hostility he provoked others through his enormous, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, juxtaposing Reiner's supposed "raging obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Developments and Detention

Authorities have since announced the arrest of the couple's adult son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in connection with the incident. It is reported his bond was established at a substantial sum.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Public Figures

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

“What a appalling and despicable comment,” remarked public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, similarly criticized the statements. She pointed to previous comments from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, demanding, "Do you have no shame? Can you get any lower?"

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

Mirroring this sentiment, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a contemptible piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "Trump has just crossed a line. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own demise because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Criticism from His Own Political Ranks

A number of Republican elected officials also expressed dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about politics or rivals". Greene also alluded to struggles with substance abuse and psychological well-being some families face.

Another Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disgraceful" given the circumstances. He publicly dared others in his political party to justify the statements.

Reiner's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. During a past interview, he stated Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the office. He had also cautioned about the risks of autocracy if Trump return to power.

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

Regardless of his strong criticisms, Reiner had previously expressed "absolute horror" and denounced political violence unequivocally after the killing of another individual.

An Ironic Link: The Art of the Deal

Providing a element of historical irony, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once recounted the story of the session, noting Trump's request for "special hairspray" while posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.