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Figures from both sides of the partisan divide and the Hollywood industry are uniting to denounce former President Donald Trump for his comments following the tragic passing of esteemed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Social Media Post

After the couple were found dead at their Brentwood residence, Trump posted on social media to describe the deceased director as "anguished and struggling". The message, he asserted Reiner's demise was "due to the anger he caused others through his enormous, relentless, and incurable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post then pivoted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's supposed "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Developments and Detention

Authorities have since confirmed the arrest of the couple's 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in connection with the case. Reports indicate his bond was set at a significant sum.

A Wave of Condemnation from Public Figures

The reaction to Trump's post was immediate and scathing.

This is a disgusting and vile statement,” remarked actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, also condemned the remarks. She referenced previous rhetoric from Trump about political violence, asking, "Do you have no shame? Is it possible to get any lower?"

The state of California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, simply wrote, "This is a sick man."

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

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just lost it. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own murder because they opposed him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Party

Some Republican lawmakers also voiced dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a family tragedy, not about politics or rivals". She also mentioned challenges with addiction and mental health some families face.

Fellow Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disgraceful" considering the nature of the deaths. He publicly dared members in his party to defend the comments.

The Director's History and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken detractor of Donald Trump. In a previous interview, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also cautioned about the risks of authoritarian rule if Trump be reelected to power.

"There is autocracy on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States fall, there’s a danger that democracy collapse around the world."

Regardless of his pointed opposition, Reiner had in the past shown "complete revulsion" and condemned violence for political ends unequivocally after the shooting of a different political figure.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Providing a layer of past connection, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously shared the anecdote of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" as being photographed on a high-rise overlooking Central Park.