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Figures from both sides of the political divide and the Hollywood world are uniting to condemn Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the tragic deaths of esteemed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Statement

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Los Angeles home, Trump posted on his platform to label the deceased director as "anguished and suffering". In a message, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

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

Law Enforcement Update and Detention

Police have since confirmed the arrest of the couple's adult son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in connection with the case. It is reported his bond was established at a significant sum.

A Torrent of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

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

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

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, also condemned the remarks. She pointed to previous rhetoric from Trump about the killing of an activist, asking, "Have you no shame? Is it possible to get any lower?"

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

Mirroring this sentiment, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "He is a contemptible piece of trash."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just lost it. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own murder because they opposed him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from His Own Party

Some GOP elected officials also voiced disapproval.

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

Fellow GOP representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's discourse "unacceptable and disrespectful" considering the nature of the deaths. He publicly challenged members in his party to justify the statements.

Reiner's History and Stance on Trump

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

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

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

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of historical connection, Michele Reiner, formerly 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 recounted the anecdote of the session, noting Trump's demand for "special hairspray" as being photographed on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.