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Personalities from both sides of the partisan divide and the entertainment industry are uniting to censure former President Donald Trump for his statements following the tragic passing of renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Controversial Online Statement

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Los Angeles home, Trump took to social media to label the deceased director as "tortured and struggling". In a message, he asserted Reiner's demise was "because of the anger he caused others through his enormous, relentless, and untreatable affliction with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Police Developments and Detention

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

A Wave of Condemnation from Public Figures

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

This is a disgusting and vile comment,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, also criticized the remarks. She pointed to prior comments from Trump about political violence, asking, "Do you have no shame? Is it possible to get any lower?"

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

Echoing this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a contemptible piece of trash."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying the Reiners brought on their own demise because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from His Own Political Ranks

A number of GOP lawmakers also expressed dismay.

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

Another GOP representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disrespectful" given the nature of the deaths. He publicly challenged others in his political party to justify the statements.

The Director's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. In a past conversation, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also warned about the dangers of autocracy should Trump be reelected to power.

"We see autocracy making its move around the world," Reiner said. "Should the United States fall, there’s a risk that democracy crumble around the world."

Regardless of his pointed opposition, Reiner had in the past expressed "complete revulsion" and condemned violence for political ends without reservation following the shooting of another individual.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

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

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