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Individuals from across the partisan spectrum and the Hollywood world are uniting to denounce former President Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the tragic deaths of renowned director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Social Media Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood residence, Trump posted on social media to label the deceased director as "anguished and struggling". In a message, he claimed Reiner's demise was "due to the hostility 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, juxtaposing Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "unprecedented era of America".

Law Enforcement Developments and Arrest

Police have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in relation to the incident. Reports indicate his bond was established at a significant amount.

A Torrent of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

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

“What a vile and despicable statement,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also condemned the remarks. Goldberg pointed to previous comments from Trump about political violence, demanding, "Have you no decency? Can you get any worse?"

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

Echoing this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a contemptible piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just crossed a line. Now saying the Reiners caused their own murder because they opposed him. So sick."

Criticism from Within Party

A number of GOP lawmakers also voiced dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the event was "a family tragedy, not about politics or rivals". She also alluded to challenges with substance abuse and psychological well-being within families.

Another Republican representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disgraceful" considering the nature of the deaths. He openly dared others in his party to defend the comments.

The Director's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. In a past conversation, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also warned about the risks of autocracy if Trump return to power.

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

Regardless of his pointed criticisms, Reiner had previously shown "absolute horror" and denounced violence for political ends unequivocally after the shooting of another political figure.

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 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once shared the story of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's request for "special hairspray" as being photographed on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.