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Individuals from both sides of the partisan aisle and the Hollywood world are uniting to denounce former President Donald Trump for his comments following the tragic deaths of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Online Post

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Los Angeles residence, Trump posted on social media to describe the late director as "anguished and suffering". In a post, he claimed Reiner's demise was "because of the hostility he caused others through his enormous, unyielding, and untreatable condition with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Update and Arrest

Police have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in connection with the case. It is reported his bail was set at a substantial amount.

A Wave of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

The reaction to Trump's words was swift and scathing.

“What a disgusting and vile comment,” remarked actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, similarly condemned the statements. She referenced previous comments from Trump about political violence, asking, "Have you no decency? Can you get any lower?"

The state of California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, simply wrote, "He is a disturbed man."

Echoing this sentiment, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "He is a contemptible piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "Trump has just lost it. Now implying the Reiners caused their own murder because they opposed him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Party

A number of Republican elected officials also voiced dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". Greene also alluded to challenges with addiction and psychological well-being some families face.

Fellow Republican representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disrespectful" considering the nature of the deaths. He publicly dared others in his political party to justify the comments.

The Director's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal critic of Donald Trump. During a past conversation, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also cautioned about the risks of autocracy should Trump return to power.

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

Despite his strong criticisms, Reiner had in the past shown "absolute horror" and denounced political violence unequivocally following the killing of a different individual.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

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

Rob Reiner had once recounted the story of the session, noting Trump's demand for "special hairspray" as being photographed on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.