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Individuals from both sides of the partisan aisle and the entertainment industry are coming together to denounce Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the shocking deaths of esteemed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Social Media Statement

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

His comments then pivoted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's supposed "intense obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "unprecedented era of America".

Police Developments and Arrest

Authorities have since announced the arrest of the couple's 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in connection with the incident. Reports indicate his bail was established at a significant sum.

A Wave of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

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

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

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, also condemned the remarks. She pointed to prior comments from Trump about the killing of an activist, asking, "Do you have no decency? Is it possible to get any lower?"

The state of California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly stated, "This is a disturbed man."

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

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just lost it. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own murder because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from Within Party

Some Republican elected officials also voiced dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". Greene also mentioned challenges with substance abuse and psychological well-being within families.

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

Reiner's History and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. In a previous interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also warned about the dangers of authoritarian rule if Trump return to power.

"There is autocracy on the rise around the world," Reiner said. "If we crumble, there’s a danger that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Despite his pointed criticisms, Reiner had in the past expressed "absolute horror" and condemned political violence without reservation after the killing of a different individual.

A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal

Providing a layer of historical irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who shot the photograph for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

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