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Individuals from across the political aisle and the Hollywood world are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the shocking passing of renowned director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Online Post

After the couple were found dead at their Brentwood home, Trump took to his platform to label the deceased director as "tortured and struggling". In a message, he asserted Reiner's death was "because of the anger he provoked others through his massive, unyielding, and untreatable condition with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post quickly shifted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's supposed "intense obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump described as the "unprecedented era of America".

Police Developments and Arrest

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

A Wave of Criticism from Public Figures

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

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, also criticized the statements. Goldberg pointed to prior rhetoric from Trump regarding political violence, demanding, "Do you have no decency? Is it possible to get any lower?"

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

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

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

Criticism from Within Party

A number of Republican lawmakers also expressed disapproval.

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

Fellow GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disrespectful" considering the nature of the deaths. He publicly dared members in his party to justify the statements.

The Director's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal critic of Donald Trump. In a past conversation, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also warned about the dangers of authoritarian rule should Trump return to power.

"There is authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner said. "If we crumble, there’s a danger that democracy crumble around the world."

Despite his strong opposition, Reiner had previously shown "absolute horror" and condemned political violence unequivocally following the shooting of another political figure.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of historical connection, Michele Reiner, previously 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 story of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" while posing on a high-rise overlooking Central Park.