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Personalities from both sides of the political spectrum and the entertainment industry are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments following the shocking deaths of renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Online Statement

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Brentwood residence, Trump took to his platform to label the deceased director as "anguished and suffering". In a message, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the hostility he provoked others through his massive, relentless, and incurable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post then pivoted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's supposed "intense obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Developments and Arrest

Authorities have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in relation to the incident. Reports indicate his bail was set at a substantial sum.

A Wave of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

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

This is a appalling and vile comment,” remarked public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, similarly condemned the statements. She pointed to previous rhetoric from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, asking, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any worse?"

California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly stated, "This is a sick man."

Echoing this view, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a contemptible piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own demise because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Party

Some Republican lawmakers also expressed disapproval.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". She also mentioned challenges with substance abuse and mental health some families face.

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

Reiner's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. In a previous interview, he stated Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the office. He had also warned about the risks of autocracy should Trump be reelected to power.

"There is authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States crumble, there’s a danger that democracy crumble around the world."

Despite his strong opposition, Reiner had previously expressed "complete revulsion" and condemned violence for political ends unequivocally after the killing of a different political figure.

A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal

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

Rob Reiner had previously recounted the anecdote of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" as being photographed on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.