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Personalities from both sides of the partisan aisle and the Hollywood world are uniting to denounce Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the tragic deaths of esteemed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Statement

After the couple were found deceased at their Los Angeles residence, Trump took to his platform to label the deceased director as "tortured and struggling". In a post, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the hostility he caused others through his enormous, relentless, and incurable condition with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post quickly shifted to self-praise, juxtaposing Reiner's alleged "intense obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Police Developments and Arrest

Police have since announced the arrest of the couple's adult son, Nick, on suspicion of homicide in connection with the incident. Reports indicate his bail was established at a significant amount.

A Torrent of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

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

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

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, similarly condemned the remarks. Goldberg referenced prior comments from Trump about political violence, asking, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any lower?"

The state of California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly stated, "This is a sick man."

Mirroring this sentiment, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a despicable piece of garbage."

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just crossed a line. Now saying the Reiners caused their own demise because they opposed him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Party

A number of Republican elected officials also expressed dismay.

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

Another GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disrespectful" given the circumstances. He openly dared members in his political party to justify the statements.

Reiner's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. During a past conversation, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also warned about the dangers of autocracy if Trump return to power.

"We see autocracy on the rise around the world," Reiner said. "Should the United States 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 after the killing of another individual.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Providing a layer of past irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who captured the cover image for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously recounted the story of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" while posing on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.