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Personalities from both sides of the partisan aisle and the Hollywood world are uniting to denounce Donald Trump for his statements following the tragic deaths of esteemed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Social Media Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood residence, Trump posted on his platform to label the late director as "anguished and suffering". The message, he asserted Reiner's demise was "due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and untreatable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post quickly shifted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's alleged "intense obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".

Police Developments and Arrest

Police have since confirmed the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in relation to the incident. Reports indicate his bond was set at a substantial sum.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

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

This is a vile and despicable comment,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

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

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

Mirroring this view, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "He is a despicable piece of trash."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just crossed a line. Now saying the Reiners caused their own demise because they opposed him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from His Own Party

Some Republican elected officials also expressed disapproval.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a personal tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". She also mentioned challenges with substance abuse and mental health within families.

Another GOP representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disgraceful" given the circumstances. He openly challenged others in his political party to justify the statements.

The Director's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal critic of Donald Trump. During a previous interview, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also cautioned about the dangers of autocracy if Trump return to power.

"We see authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner said. "Should the United States fall, there’s a danger that democratic systems crumble around the world."

Despite his strong criticisms, Reiner had previously expressed "complete revulsion" and condemned political violence without reservation following the shooting of another individual.

A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of past irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who shot the cover image for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously shared the anecdote of the session, mentioning Trump's request for "a specific hair product" as being photographed on a skyscraper with a view of Central Park.