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Individuals from both sides of the partisan aisle and the Hollywood 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 Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood home, Trump took to his platform to label the deceased director as "tortured and struggling". The message, he asserted Reiner's demise was "due to the hostility he provoked others through his massive, relentless, and incurable affliction with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's alleged "intense obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump described as the "unprecedented era of America".

Police Developments and Arrest

Authorities have since confirmed the detention of the couple's 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in relation to the incident. Reports indicate his bail was established at a significant amount.

A Wave of Condemnation from Public Figures

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

“What a vile and vile comment,” remarked public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also criticized the statements. She pointed to prior rhetoric from Trump about political violence, demanding, "Have you no decency? Is it possible to get any worse?"

California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly wrote, "He is a disturbed man."

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

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they opposed him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Political Ranks

Some GOP lawmakers also voiced dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". She also alluded to challenges with substance abuse and psychological well-being some families face.

Another Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disgraceful" considering the nature of the deaths. He publicly challenged members in his political party to defend the statements.

Reiner's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal critic of Donald Trump. During a previous interview, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also cautioned about the risks of autocracy if Trump return to power.

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

Despite his pointed opposition, Reiner had in the past expressed "absolute horror" and denounced political violence without reservation following the shooting of another political figure.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of historical connection, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously shared the anecdote of the photo shoot, noting Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" as being photographed on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.