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Personalities from across the partisan spectrum and the entertainment world are coming together to condemn former President Donald Trump for his statements in the wake of the tragic passing of renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Post

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Los Angeles residence, Trump took to his platform to label the deceased director as "anguished and suffering". In a post, he claimed Reiner's death was "due to the hostility he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments then pivoted to praising his own achievements, juxtaposing Reiner's supposed "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump called the "unprecedented era of America".

Police Update and Arrest

Police have since announced the arrest of the couple's adult son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in connection with the incident. Reports indicate his bail was established at a substantial amount.

A Wave of Criticism from Public Figures

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

This is a disgusting and despicable statement,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, similarly criticized the statements. Goldberg referenced prior rhetoric from Trump about the killing of an activist, demanding, "Do you have no shame? Can you get any lower?"

California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly stated, "This is a sick man."

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

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just lost it. Now implying the Reiners caused their own murder because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Criticism from Within Political Ranks

A number of GOP elected officials also expressed dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the event was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". She also mentioned struggles with substance abuse and mental health within families.

Fellow Republican representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disgraceful" considering the circumstances. He publicly dared others in his party to justify the statements.

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 dangers of authoritarian rule should Trump return to power.

"We see authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "If we crumble, there’s a risk that democracy crumble around the world."

Despite his pointed opposition, Reiner had previously shown "complete revulsion" and denounced violence for political ends without reservation after the killing of a different political figure.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of historical connection, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the photographer who shot the cover image for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously recounted the story of the session, mentioning Trump's request for "special hairspray" while being photographed on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.