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Personalities from both sides of the partisan spectrum and the entertainment world are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the tragic deaths of renowned director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Statement

After the couple were found dead at their Los Angeles home, Trump posted on his platform to label the late director as "tortured and struggling". The message, he claimed Reiner's death was "because of the hostility he provoked others through his massive, relentless, and untreatable affliction with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

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

Law Enforcement Update and Detention

Authorities have since announced the detention of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in relation to the case. It is reported his bail was set at a significant amount.

A Wave of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

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

“What a vile and vile statement,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, also condemned the statements. Goldberg pointed to prior comments from Trump about the killing of an activist, demanding, "Do you have no shame? Is it possible to get any lower?"

California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, simply wrote, "This is a sick man."

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

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just lost it. Now implying the Reiners caused their own demise because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Political Ranks

Some Republican lawmakers also expressed disapproval.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a personal tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". She also mentioned challenges with substance abuse and mental health within families.

Fellow Republican representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disgraceful" considering the nature of the deaths. He openly challenged members in his political party to defend the comments.

The Director's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. During a previous conversation, he argued Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the presidency. He had also cautioned about the dangers of autocracy if Trump be reelected to power.

"There is authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a risk that democratic systems crumble around the world."

Regardless of his pointed criticisms, Reiner had previously shown "complete revulsion" and denounced violence for political ends without reservation after the shooting of another political figure.

A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal

Providing a element of past connection, 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, mentioning Trump's request for "a specific hair product" as posing on a skyscraper with a view of Central Park.