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Figures from both sides of the political divide and the entertainment world are coming together to condemn former President Donald Trump for his remarks following the tragic passing of esteemed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Online Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood residence, Trump took to his platform to describe the deceased director as "tortured and suffering". In a post, he asserted Reiner's death was "because of the hostility he caused others through his enormous, unyielding, and untreatable affliction with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, juxtaposing Reiner's supposed "intense obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "unprecedented era of America".

Law Enforcement Update and Arrest

Police have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in relation to the incident. It is reported his bail was set at a significant amount.

A Wave of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

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

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, similarly criticized the statements. Goldberg pointed to prior rhetoric from Trump about the killing of an activist, asking, "Do you have no shame? Can you get any worse?"

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

Mirroring this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a despicable piece of trash."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they opposed him. Deeply disturbing."

Criticism from Within Political Ranks

Some GOP lawmakers also expressed disapproval.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a personal tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". Greene also alluded to struggles with addiction and psychological well-being within families.

Fellow Republican representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disgraceful" given the circumstances. He openly challenged members in his political party to justify the comments.

The Director's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal critic of Donald Trump. In a past interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also cautioned about the risks of authoritarian rule should Trump return to power.

"We see autocracy making its move around the world," Reiner said. "If we crumble, there’s a danger that democratic systems crumble around the world."

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

A Notable Connection: 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 demand for "a specific hair product" while posing on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.