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Personalities from across the partisan divide and the entertainment world are coming together to denounce Donald Trump for his statements in the wake of the tragic deaths of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood residence, Trump took to social media to label the deceased director as "anguished and suffering". The post, he claimed Reiner's death was "because of the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and untreatable affliction with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

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

Police Developments and Detention

Authorities have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in connection with the case. It is reported his bond was established at a substantial sum.

A Torrent of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

The reaction to Trump's words was swift and harsh.

“What a vile and despicable statement,” remarked actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, also condemned the remarks. Goldberg pointed to previous comments from Trump regarding political violence, demanding, "Do you have no decency? Is it possible to get any lower?"

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

Echoing this sentiment, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a contemptible piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just crossed a line. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own murder because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Criticism from Within Party

Some GOP elected officials also expressed dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about politics or political enemies". She also mentioned struggles with substance abuse and mental health within families.

Another Republican representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disgraceful" given the nature of the deaths. He publicly challenged members in his party to defend the comments.

The Director's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. In a previous conversation, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also cautioned about the risks of authoritarian rule if Trump return to power.

"We see authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner said. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democracy collapse around the world."

Regardless of his strong opposition, Reiner had previously shown "complete revulsion" and denounced violence for political ends unequivocally after the shooting of a different individual.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

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

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