Trump's Controversial Remarks Following Rob Reiner's Death Spark Outrage Across Political Spectrum

He stated that Reiner "was known to have driven people CRAZY"

United States President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by connecting the deaths of acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner to their antipathy toward his presidency. In a statement shared on his social media platform, Trump claimed the couple was killed "reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME."

Even by Trump's standards, this unfounded assertion aimed at criticizing his opponents in the wake of a tragedy was viewed as particularly disturbing. These comments emerged while police were still investigating the deaths of the director and his wife as an apparent homicide case.

The couple was discovered deceased with stab wounds in their Brentwood residence in Los Angeles on Sunday. Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department on Monday.

As of now, no charges had been specified in the arrest according to booking documentation, and his bail was established at $4 million.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: "A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS."

He added that Reiner "was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness."

The president did not acknowledge his personal connection to Reiner's wife, who worked as a photographer. Peter Osnos, the original publisher of "The Art of the Deal," confirmed Monday that Michele Singer captured the cover image for Trump's 1987 bestselling book.

When questioned about the criticism later on Monday during an Oval Office event, Trump maintained his position.

"I wasn't a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned," the president stated.

"I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all in any way, shape or form. I thought he was very bad for our country," he continued.

The president did not mention his personal connection to Reiner's wife, who was a photographer. Peter Osnos, the original publisher of "The Art of the Deal", confirmed Monday that Michele Singer took the cover image of Trump's 1987 bestseller.

Trump has an extensive history of inflammatory remarks, but his social media comments represented a significant departure from the traditional presidential role of offering condolences or tribute following the death of a public figure. His message drew criticism even from conservatives and supporters, revealing Trump's unwillingness to rise above political grievances during tragic moments.

Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who has diverged from his party's alignment with the president, criticized Trump's comment.

"Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered," Massie wrote on X.

"I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they're afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it."

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican whom Trump labeled a "traitor" for disagreeing with him, responded to Trump's message by saying, "This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies."

"This statement is wrong. Regardless of one's political views, no one should be subjected to violence, let alone at the hands of their own son," New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler stated on X.

Conservative commentator Erick Erickson drew parallels with calls for civility after the September assassination of Charlie Kirk.

"All of those people who lost their jobs for their disgusting tweets about Charlie Kirk's assassination are staring at the President of the United States' social media account in disbelief," Erickson wrote.

Reiner, whose directorial credits include This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally, was a longtime Democratic donor and critic of Trump. He was among the most active Democrats in the film industry, regularly campaigning for liberal causes and hosting fundraisers. He was an outspoken critic of Trump, describing him in a 2017 Variety interview as "mentally unfit" to be president and "the single most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency of the United States."