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Individuals from both sides of the partisan spectrum and the Hollywood industry are coming together to censure Donald Trump for his statements following the tragic passing of esteemed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Online Statement

After the couple were found deceased at their Los Angeles residence, Trump took to social media to describe the deceased director as "tortured and struggling". The post, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the anger he caused others through his enormous, relentless, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

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

Police Update and Detention

Police have since announced the arrest of the couple's adult son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in relation to the case. Reports indicate his bond was set at a significant sum.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

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

This is a appalling and despicable comment,” said public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also condemned the statements. Goldberg pointed to previous comments from Trump about the killing of an activist, demanding, "Have you no shame? Can you get any worse?"

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

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

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "Trump has just lost it. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Rebuke from Within Political Ranks

A number of GOP elected officials also expressed dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about politics or political enemies". Greene also alluded to challenges with addiction and mental health within families.

Fellow Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's remarks "inappropriate and disrespectful" given the circumstances. He openly challenged members in his political party to defend the comments.

Reiner's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. During a previous conversation, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also cautioned about the dangers of authoritarian rule should Trump be reelected to power.

"We see autocracy making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Despite his strong opposition, Reiner had previously expressed "absolute horror" and denounced political violence unequivocally following the killing of a different political figure.

A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal

Providing a layer of historical irony, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the artist who captured the cover image for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once shared the anecdote of the photo shoot, noting Trump's request for "a specific hair product" as posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.