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Figures from both sides of the political divide and the entertainment industry are uniting to denounce former President Donald Trump for his remarks in the wake of the tragic passing of renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Online Post

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Brentwood residence, Trump posted on social media to describe the late director as "tortured and struggling". The message, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the anger he provoked others through his massive, relentless, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments then pivoted to self-praise, juxtaposing Reiner's alleged "intense obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Police Developments and Arrest

Police have since announced the detention of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident. It is reported his bail was established at a significant sum.

A Torrent of Criticism from Public Figures

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

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, also criticized the remarks. Goldberg pointed to previous rhetoric from Trump regarding political violence, demanding, "Have you no decency? Can you get any lower?"

California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, simply stated, "This is a disturbed man."

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

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just lost it. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own demise because they opposed him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from His Own Political Ranks

Some GOP elected officials also expressed dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". Greene also mentioned challenges with substance abuse and mental health some families face.

Another Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disrespectful" given the circumstances. He openly challenged members in his political party to defend the statements.

The Director's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal critic of Donald Trump. During a past interview, he argued Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the presidency. He had also warned about the dangers of autocracy should Trump be reelected to power.

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

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

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

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

Rob Reiner had once shared the anecdote of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" as being photographed on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.