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Personalities from across the partisan aisle and the entertainment industry are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the shocking deaths of esteemed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Online Statement

After the couple were found dead at their Los Angeles home, Trump took to social media to label the deceased director as "anguished and struggling". The message, he claimed Reiner's demise was "because of the anger he caused others through his massive, relentless, and untreatable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments then pivoted to praising his own achievements, juxtaposing Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Developments and Detention

Police have since announced the detention of the couple's adult son, Nick, on suspicion of homicide in connection with the incident. It is reported his bond was established at a significant amount.

A Torrent of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

The reaction to Trump's post was swift and harsh.

“What a appalling and despicable comment,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, similarly condemned the statements. Goldberg pointed to prior rhetoric from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, asking, "Do you have no shame? Is it possible to get any lower?"

California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly wrote, "He is a sick man."

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

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

Criticism from Within Party

Some Republican lawmakers also expressed dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". Greene also alluded to challenges with addiction and mental health within families.

Another GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disrespectful" given the circumstances. He openly dared others in his party to defend the comments.

Reiner's History and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal critic of Donald Trump. In a previous interview, he stated Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the presidency. He had also cautioned about the dangers of autocracy if Trump be reelected to power.

"We see autocracy on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States fall, there’s a danger that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Regardless of his pointed opposition, Reiner had previously shown "absolute horror" and condemned political violence unequivocally after the shooting of another individual.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a element of historical irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once shared the anecdote of the photo shoot, noting Trump's request for "a specific hair product" as posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.