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Personalities from across the partisan aisle and the Hollywood industry are uniting to censure former President Donald Trump for his remarks following the tragic passing of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Online Post

After the couple were found dead at their Los Angeles home, Trump took to social media to label the deceased director as "anguished and suffering". The message, he claimed Reiner's demise was "due to the anger he caused others through his enormous, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

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

Law Enforcement Update and Arrest

Authorities have since confirmed the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in relation to the case. Reports indicate his bond was established at a significant sum.

A Wave of Condemnation from Celebrities and Politicians

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

“What a vile and despicable comment,” remarked actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also condemned the statements. She referenced prior comments from Trump about the killing of an activist, demanding, "Have you no shame? Can you get any worse?"

California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, simply stated, "He is a disturbed man."

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

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own murder because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Criticism from Within Party

A number of Republican elected officials also expressed dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the event was "a family tragedy, not about politics or rivals". Greene also mentioned challenges with substance abuse and mental health within families.

Fellow Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disgraceful" given the circumstances. He openly challenged members in his political party to justify the statements.

The Director's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. In a past interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also warned about the risks of authoritarian rule if Trump be reelected to power.

"There is authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "If we crumble, there’s a risk that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Regardless of his strong criticisms, Reiner had in the past shown "complete revulsion" and denounced violence for political ends without reservation following the killing of a different political figure.

A Notable Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a element of historical connection, 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 previously recounted the anecdote of the session, noting Trump's demand for "special hairspray" as posing on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.