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Personalities from both sides of the partisan divide and the Hollywood world are uniting to denounce former President Donald Trump for his statements following the shocking deaths of renowned 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 his platform to describe the late director as "anguished and struggling". The post, he claimed Reiner's demise was "due to the hostility he caused others through his enormous, relentless, 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 supposed "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Police Developments and Detention

Authorities have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on suspicion of homicide in connection with the incident. It is reported his bail was established at a substantial sum.

A Torrent of Criticism from Public Figures

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

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also condemned the remarks. She pointed to prior comments from Trump about political violence, asking, "Have you no shame? Is it possible to get any worse?"

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

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

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Criticism from Within Party

Some Republican lawmakers also voiced disapproval.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a personal tragedy, not about politics or rivals". Greene also mentioned challenges with addiction and psychological well-being some families face.

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

Reiner's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. During a past conversation, he argued Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the office. He had also warned about the dangers of autocracy if Trump be reelected to power.

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

Despite his pointed opposition, Reiner had previously shown "absolute horror" and denounced political violence unequivocally after the shooting of another political figure.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Providing a layer of past connection, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who shot the photograph for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once recounted the story of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's request for "a specific hair product" as posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.