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Personalities from across the partisan divide and the entertainment world are uniting to denounce Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the tragic passing of esteemed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Social Media Statement

After the couple were found deceased at their Los Angeles home, Trump posted on his platform to label the deceased director as "anguished and suffering". In a post, he asserted Reiner's demise was "due to the anger he provoked others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post then pivoted to self-praise, juxtaposing Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "clear 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' adult son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in connection with the incident. It is reported his bond was set at a substantial sum.

A Wave of Criticism from Public Figures

The reaction to Trump's post was immediate and harsh.

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

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, also criticized the remarks. She referenced prior comments from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, demanding, "Have you no decency? Is it possible to get any lower?"

California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly stated, "He is a disturbed man."

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

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own demise because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Rebuke from Within Political Ranks

Some Republican lawmakers also voiced dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". She also mentioned struggles with addiction and psychological well-being within families.

Fellow GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disgraceful" considering the circumstances. He publicly dared members in his party to defend the statements.

The Director's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal critic of Donald Trump. During a previous interview, he argued Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the presidency. He had also cautioned about the risks of authoritarian rule should Trump return to power.

"We see authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States fall, there’s a risk that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Regardless of his pointed criticisms, Reiner had previously expressed "complete revulsion" and condemned violence for political ends without reservation following the killing of another individual.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of past connection, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

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