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Figures from both sides of the partisan aisle and the entertainment world are uniting to condemn Donald Trump for his remarks in the wake of the shocking passing of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Social Media Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood residence, Trump took to his platform to describe the late director as "tortured and struggling". In a post, he asserted Reiner's death was "because of the anger he caused others through his enormous, unyielding, and incurable condition with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments then pivoted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Developments and Arrest

Police have since confirmed the detention of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in connection with the incident. It is reported his bail was set at a significant amount.

A Wave of Criticism from Public Figures

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

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, also criticized the remarks. Goldberg pointed to previous comments from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, demanding, "Do you have no shame? Can you get any lower?"

California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, simply stated, "He is a sick man."

Mirroring this sentiment, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a contemptible piece of trash."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "Trump has just lost it. Now implying the Reiners caused their own demise because they opposed him. So sick."

Criticism from Within Political Ranks

A number of GOP elected officials also voiced disapproval.

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

Another GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disgraceful" given the circumstances. He publicly dared members in his party to justify the comments.

The Director's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. During a past conversation, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also cautioned about the risks of autocracy should Trump return to power.

"There is authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States fall, 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 unequivocally following the shooting of a different individual.

An Ironic Link: The Art of the Deal

Adding a element of past connection, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once recounted the anecdote of the photo shoot, noting Trump's request for "a specific hair product" as posing on a high-rise overlooking Central Park.