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Personalities from both sides of the partisan divide and the entertainment industry are uniting to denounce Donald Trump for his comments following the shocking passing of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Post

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood home, Trump posted on social media to describe the deceased director as "tortured and suffering". The post, he asserted Reiner's death was "because of the anger he provoked others through his massive, relentless, and incurable affliction with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

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

Law Enforcement Developments and Detention

Authorities have since confirmed the detention of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on suspicion of homicide in connection with the incident. Reports indicate his bail was set at a significant sum.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Public Figures

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

This is a vile and despicable comment,” remarked actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, also criticized the remarks. Goldberg pointed to prior comments from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, demanding, "Do you have no shame? Is it possible to get any worse?"

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

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

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "Trump has just crossed a line. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own murder because they didn’t support him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from His Own Political Ranks

A number of Republican elected officials also expressed dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a personal tragedy, not about politics or rivals". She also alluded to struggles with addiction and mental health within families.

Another Republican representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disgraceful" given the nature of the deaths. He publicly challenged members in his political party to defend the comments.

The Director's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. In a previous interview, he stated Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the office. He had also warned about the risks of authoritarian rule should Trump return to power.

"We see authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democracy crumble around the world."

Regardless of his strong criticisms, Reiner had in the past expressed "complete revulsion" and denounced violence for political ends without reservation after the killing of another political figure.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

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

Rob Reiner had previously recounted the anecdote of the session, noting Trump's request for "special hairspray" as being photographed on a skyscraper with a view of Central Park.