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Individuals from across the political aisle and the entertainment world are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments following the shocking deaths of renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Online Statement

After the couple were found dead at their Brentwood home, Trump posted on his platform to describe the late director as "tortured and suffering". In a message, he claimed Reiner's demise was "due to the anger he caused others through his enormous, relentless, and untreatable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

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

Law Enforcement Update and Detention

Authorities have since announced the detention of the couple's adult son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident. Reports indicate his bond was set at a significant sum.

A Wave of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

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

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

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, also criticized the remarks. Goldberg referenced prior rhetoric from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, asking, "Have you no decency? Can you get any worse?"

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

Echoing this view, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a despicable piece of trash."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying the Reiners brought on their own demise because they opposed him. Deeply disturbing."

Criticism from His Own Political Ranks

Some Republican elected officials also voiced disapproval.

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

Another Republican representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's discourse "unacceptable and disgraceful" considering the nature of the deaths. He openly dared others in his party to defend the statements.

The Director's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. During 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.

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

Despite his pointed criticisms, Reiner had previously expressed "complete revulsion" and denounced violence for political ends unequivocally after the shooting of another individual.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

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

Rob Reiner had previously shared the story of the photo shoot, noting Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" while posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.