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Figures from both sides of the partisan spectrum and the entertainment world are uniting to condemn Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the shocking deaths of esteemed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Social Media Statement

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

The post then pivoted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's supposed "intense obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump called the "unprecedented era of America".

Police Update and Detention

Police have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on suspicion of homicide in relation to the incident. It is reported his bail was set at a significant sum.

A Wave of Criticism from Public Figures

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

“What a appalling and vile comment,” said public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, similarly criticized the remarks. She pointed to prior rhetoric from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, asking, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any lower?"

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

Echoing this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a despicable piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "Trump has just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own demise because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Criticism from His Own Party

A number of Republican elected officials also voiced dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the event was "a family tragedy, not about politics or rivals". Greene also mentioned struggles with addiction and psychological well-being some families face.

Another Republican representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disrespectful" given the nature of the deaths. He openly challenged members in his political party to defend the comments.

Reiner's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. During a previous conversation, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also cautioned about the dangers of autocracy should Trump return to power.

"We see authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democratic systems crumble around the world."

Regardless of his strong opposition, Reiner had previously shown "complete revulsion" and condemned political violence without reservation following the killing of a different political figure.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Providing a layer of historical irony, Michele Reiner, formerly 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 anecdote of the photo shoot, noting Trump's demand for "special hairspray" as posing on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.