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Personalities from both sides of the partisan spectrum and the entertainment industry are coming together to denounce former President Donald Trump for his statements in the wake of the tragic passing of renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Online Post

After the couple were found deceased at their Los Angeles residence, Trump posted on his platform to describe the late director as "tortured and suffering". The message, he asserted Reiner's demise was "due to the anger he provoked others through his massive, unyielding, and untreatable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

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

Police Update and Detention

Authorities have since announced the detention of the couple's 32-year-old son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in connection with the case. It is reported his bail was established at a significant amount.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Public Figures

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

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

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, also criticized the remarks. She referenced previous comments from Trump regarding political violence, asking, "Have you no shame? Can you get any worse?"

The state of California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, simply wrote, "This is a disturbed man."

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

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

Rebuke from Within Party

Some Republican elected officials also expressed dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about politics or rivals". Greene also mentioned struggles with substance abuse and mental health within families.

Another GOP representative, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disrespectful" given the nature of the deaths. He openly dared members in his party to defend the comments.

Reiner's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. During a previous interview, he argued Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the presidency. He had also warned about the risks of autocracy if Trump be reelected to power.

"There is autocracy making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "If we fall, there’s a danger that democracy crumble around the world."

Regardless of his pointed criticisms, Reiner had in the past shown "absolute horror" and condemned violence for political ends unequivocally after the shooting of another individual.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Providing a element of past irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the cover image 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 posing on a skyscraper with a view of Central Park.