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Individuals from across the political divide and the Hollywood industry are uniting to censure former President Donald Trump for his comments following the shocking passing of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Social Media Post

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood residence, Trump posted on his platform to label the late director as "tortured and struggling". The post, he claimed Reiner's death was "because of the anger he provoked others through his enormous, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, juxtaposing Reiner's supposed "intense obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "unprecedented era of America".

Police Developments and Arrest

Police have since announced the arrest of the couple's adult son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in relation to the case. It is reported his bond was set at a substantial amount.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

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

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

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

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

Mirroring this view, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a despicable piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "Trump has just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own demise because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Criticism from Within Political Ranks

Some GOP elected officials also expressed dismay.

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

Another Republican representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disgraceful" considering the nature of the deaths. He publicly challenged others in his political 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 interview, he argued Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the presidency. He had also warned about the dangers of autocracy if Trump be reelected to power.

"There is autocracy making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Regardless of his strong opposition, Reiner had in the past expressed "complete revulsion" and denounced violence for political ends unequivocally following the shooting of a different individual.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of historical connection, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the artist who shot the photograph for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

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