President Donald Trump said without evidence on Monday that famed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, were killed because of the Democratic activist’s “raging obsession” with the president.
“A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS.”
Authorities have not shared a suspected motive for the fatal stabbing. The Reiners’ younger son, Nick Reiner, was arrested Sunday in connection with the case.
Critics — including two Republican lawmakers — publicly condemned the president for the post.
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“This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X.
“Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered,” Republican Rep. Thomas Massie wrote on X. “I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they’re afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment, but Trump doubled down on his comments when speaking in front of reporters later Monday.
“He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned,” Trump said, adding that Reiner supported “the Russia hoax.”
“I think he hurt himself career-wise and became like a deranged person, Trump derangement syndrome,” Trump continued. “So I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way, shape, or form. I thought he was very bad for our country.”
Jenna Ellis, a former lawyer for Trump, pointed to reactions after the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in September. The Trump administration promised at the time that it would identify and publicly shame those who made light of Kirk’s murder.
“A man and his wife were murdered last night. This is NOT the appropriate response,” Ellis wrote on X. “The Right uniformly condemned political and celebratory responses to Charlie Kirk’s death. This is a horrible example from Trump (and surprising considering the two attempts on his own life) and should be condemned by everyone with any decency.”
Some prominent Trump allies defended Trump. Alex Bruesewitz called the criticism over his Reiner post “fake outrage,” posting to the director’s criticism of the president. Laura Loomer said, “Reiner had a level of TDS that likely exuded a level of craziness around those he spent time with.”
Some Republicans skirted questions about whether Trump’s post was appropriate.
“I don’t have much more to say about it other than that it’s a tragedy,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters. “And my sympathies and prayers go out to the Reiner family and to their friends.”
Democrats resoundingly criticized Trump’s post. “He knows no shame. A total jackass,” Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren called Trump’s comments “a new low for this petty, hateful man” and called for Republicans to condemn his statement.
“Two people were murdered in their own home, and the President’s first instinct is to shitpost and make it about himself,” Rep. Jimmy Gomez wrote on X.
This article has been updated with additional comments from the president and Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
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