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Figures from both sides of the partisan spectrum and the entertainment industry are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the tragic passing of esteemed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Social Media Post

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Los Angeles home, Trump posted on his platform to label the deceased director as "anguished and struggling". In a post, he asserted Reiner's demise was "due to the hostility he provoked others through his enormous, relentless, and untreatable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "unprecedented era of America".

Police Developments and Detention

Authorities have since confirmed the detention of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident. It is reported his bail was set at a significant amount.

A Wave of Condemnation from Public Figures

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

“What a disgusting and vile statement,” remarked public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also condemned the remarks. Goldberg pointed to prior comments from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, demanding, "Have you no shame? Can you get any lower?"

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

Mirroring this view, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a contemptible piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "Trump has just crossed a line. Now saying the Reiners caused their own demise because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Rebuke from Within Party

Some GOP lawmakers also voiced disapproval.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the event was "a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies". She also mentioned struggles with substance abuse and psychological well-being some families face.

Another GOP representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disrespectful" given the circumstances. He publicly challenged members in his party to justify the comments.

Reiner's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. In a previous interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also cautioned about the dangers of authoritarian rule should Trump be reelected 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."

Despite his pointed opposition, Reiner had in the past expressed "absolute horror" and condemned political violence unequivocally following the killing of another individual.

An Ironic Link: The Art of the Deal

Adding a element of past irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who captured the cover image for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once recounted the anecdote of the photo shoot, noting Trump's request for "a specific hair product" as being photographed on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.