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Personalities from both sides of the political aisle and the Hollywood industry are coming together to censure former President Donald Trump for his comments following the tragic passing of esteemed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Online Statement

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Los Angeles residence, Trump posted on social media to label the late director as "anguished and suffering". In a message, he asserted Reiner's demise was "due to the hostility he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and untreatable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

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

Law Enforcement Developments and Detention

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

A Torrent of Criticism from Public Figures

The response to Trump's post was swift and scathing.

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, also criticized the remarks. She pointed to prior rhetoric from Trump about political violence, asking, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any lower?"

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

Mirroring this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a contemptible piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just lost it. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own demise because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Party

Some Republican lawmakers also voiced dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about politics or rivals". She also alluded to struggles with substance abuse and psychological well-being within families.

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

Reiner's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. In a past interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also warned about the dangers of autocracy should Trump return to power.

"There is authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States crumble, there’s a danger that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Regardless of his strong opposition, Reiner had in the past shown "absolute horror" and denounced political violence without reservation after the shooting of another individual.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

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

Rob Reiner had once recounted the anecdote of the session, mentioning Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" while being photographed on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.