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Individuals from across the partisan divide and the Hollywood industry are coming together to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the shocking passing of esteemed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Online Post

After the couple were found deceased at their Brentwood residence, Trump posted on his platform to label the deceased director as "tortured and suffering". The message, he asserted Reiner's death was "because of the hostility he caused others through his enormous, relentless, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments then pivoted to praising his own achievements, juxtaposing Reiner's supposed "intense obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "unprecedented era of America".

Law Enforcement Developments and Detention

Authorities have since confirmed the detention of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on charges related to murder in relation to the case. It is reported his bond was set at a significant sum.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

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

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

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, similarly criticized the statements. Goldberg referenced previous comments from Trump about political violence, demanding, "Do you have no shame? Is it possible to get any lower?"

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

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

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just crossed a line. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own demise because they opposed him. Deeply disturbing."

Criticism from Within Political Ranks

A number of Republican elected officials also expressed disapproval.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about politics or political enemies". She also alluded to struggles with addiction and mental health some families face.

Fellow GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disrespectful" considering the circumstances. He publicly dared members in his political party to justify the comments.

Reiner's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal critic of Donald Trump. During a past interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also warned about the risks of autocracy if Trump be reelected to power.

"We see authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "If we crumble, there’s a risk that democratic systems crumble around the world."

Regardless of his pointed criticisms, Reiner had previously expressed "complete revulsion" and denounced violence for political ends unequivocally after the shooting of a different individual.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Providing a layer of historical irony, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the cover image for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously recounted the anecdote of the session, mentioning Trump's demand for "special hairspray" while being photographed on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.