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Personalities from both sides of the political aisle and the entertainment industry are coming together to condemn Donald Trump for his statements following the shocking deaths of renowned director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Social Media Statement

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Los Angeles home, Trump posted on social media to describe the deceased director as "anguished and struggling". In a message, he claimed Reiner's demise was "because of the hostility he caused others through his enormous, unyielding, and untreatable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's alleged "intense obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".

Police Update and Detention

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

A Torrent of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

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

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, similarly criticized the statements. Goldberg referenced prior rhetoric from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, demanding, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any worse?"

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

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

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying the Reiners brought on their own murder because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from His Own Political Ranks

A number of Republican elected officials also voiced dismay.

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

Fellow Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "unacceptable and disrespectful" considering the circumstances. He openly dared others in his political party to justify the statements.

The Director's History and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal critic of Donald Trump. During a previous conversation, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also cautioned about the dangers of authoritarian rule should Trump be reelected to power.

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

Regardless of his pointed criticisms, Reiner had previously shown "absolute horror" and condemned political violence without reservation after the shooting of a different individual.

A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal

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

Rob Reiner had previously shared the anecdote of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" as posing on a skyscraper with a view of Central Park.