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Personalities from both sides of the political divide and the Hollywood world are coming together to denounce Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the tragic passing of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Social Media Statement

After the couple were found dead at their Los Angeles residence, Trump posted on social media to describe the deceased director as "tortured and struggling". The message, he claimed Reiner's demise was "due to the hostility he caused others through his enormous, unyielding, and untreatable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post then pivoted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "unprecedented era of America".

Law Enforcement Developments and Arrest

Authorities have since announced the arrest of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in connection with the case. Reports indicate his bond was established at a significant sum.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Public Figures

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

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

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, also criticized the remarks. She pointed to previous rhetoric from Trump regarding political violence, demanding, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any lower?"

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

Mirroring this view, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "What a despicable piece of trash."

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

Criticism from His Own Political Ranks

A number of Republican lawmakers also voiced disapproval.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about politics or rivals". Greene also alluded to struggles with substance abuse and mental health some families face.

Fellow GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "unacceptable and disrespectful" given the circumstances. He openly dared 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. During a past conversation, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also warned about the dangers of authoritarian rule if Trump return to power.

"There is authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner said. "Should the United States crumble, there’s a risk that democratic systems crumble around the world."

Regardless of his pointed criticisms, Reiner had previously expressed "complete revulsion" and condemned political violence unequivocally after the killing of another political figure.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a element of past irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the cover image for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once shared the story of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's request for "a specific hair product" as being photographed on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.