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Individuals from both sides of the political divide and the entertainment industry are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments following the tragic passing of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Online Post

After the couple were found dead at their Los Angeles home, Trump posted on his platform to describe the deceased director as "anguished and struggling". The post, he asserted Reiner's demise was "because of the hostility he provoked others through his massive, relentless, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post then pivoted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's supposed "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".

Police Developments and Detention

Authorities have since confirmed the detention of the couple's adult son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in relation to the case. Reports indicate his bond was set at a substantial amount.

A Torrent of Criticism from Public Figures

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

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, similarly condemned the statements. Goldberg pointed to prior comments from Trump about the killing of an activist, asking, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any lower?"

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

Mirroring this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a despicable piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just lost it. Now implying the Reiners brought on their own demise because they opposed him. So sick."

Criticism from Within Party

A number of Republican elected officials also expressed dismay.

Representative 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 mental health within families.

Another Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disrespectful" given the nature of the deaths. He openly challenged others in his party to defend the statements.

Reiner's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal critic of Donald Trump. In a previous interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also warned about the risks of autocracy if Trump return to power.

"There is autocracy making its move around the world," Reiner said. "Should the United States fall, there’s a risk that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Despite his pointed opposition, Reiner had previously expressed "absolute horror" and denounced violence for political ends unequivocally following the killing of a different political figure.

An Ironic Link: The Art of the Deal

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

Rob Reiner had once recounted the anecdote of the session, mentioning Trump's demand for "special hairspray" while posing on a high-rise overlooking Central Park.