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Despite facing intense criticism for his remarks following the tragic deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, President Donald Trump has shown no sign of retreat. Instead, he has escalated his rhetoric, repeatedly describing the celebrated filmmaker as “deranged” and “very bad for our country,” further fueling public outrage.
The entertainment industry was left reeling over the weekend by the deaths of Rob Reiner, 78, an acclaimed director, and his wife, Michele Reiner, 68. Authorities confirmed that the couple was found dead inside their Los Angeles home on December 14, both having suffered fatal stab wounds.
‘Very loud argument’
According to TMZ, Rob Reiner and his son—who has reportedly struggled with addiction—were involved in a “very loud argument” the night before the killings. The confrontation allegedly took place during a Christmas party hosted by Conan O’Brien.
A source told People that Nick’s behavior at the event unsettled guests, saying he was “freaking everyone out, acting crazy, [and] kept asking people if they were famous.” The argument reportedly prompted Rob and Michele Reiner to leave the party early.
The following afternoon, the bodies of Rob Reiner—who had most recently directed Spinal Tap II: The End Continues—and his wife were discovered by their 28-year-old daughter, Romy.
Grossly offensive post
As tributes poured in from across the film industry and political circles, President Trump drew widespread condemnation for comments he posted on Truth Social shortly after news of the deaths became public.
Rather than expressing sympathy, Trump used the moment to attack Reiner, claiming the director suffered from what he referred to as “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS). In a post dated December 15, Trump, 79, wrote that Reiner was a “tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star,” and suggested that his death was linked to anger allegedly caused by his obsession with Trump. He concluded the message by saying, “May Rob and Michele rest in peace!”
The message’s tone and timing were widely criticized, including by individuals who typically support the president.
Some of Trump’s own supporters publicly rebuked him in the comment section of his post. One self-identified MAGA supporter wrote that they had stood by Trump repeatedly but felt “ashamed” of the post, stating that “EVERY human deserves respect” during such a tragedy and urging the president to seek forgiveness.
Another commenter called the post “tasteless and inappropriate,” adding that it was “unbecoming” of both Trump and the presidency. A third supporter expressed disbelief, noting they had voted for Trump three times but felt deeply disappointed.
Republican reps weighed in
Several Republican lawmakers also distanced themselves from Trump’s remarks. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene described the comments as inappropriate, emphasizing that the situation was a family tragedy, not a political issue. In a Facebook post, she wrote that Rob and Michele Reiner’s remaining children were left grieving and heartbroken, and that such circumstances should be met with empathy.
Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, a frequent Trump ally, also criticized the president’s words. Writing on X, Massie said that regardless of political disagreements, the comments were disrespectful toward a man who had just been brutally murdered. He challenged anyone to defend the remarks, suggesting many were staying silent out of fear.
The Associated Press reported that Republican Reps. Mike Lawler of New York and Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma—neither known as outspoken Trump critics—also condemned the post, marking an unusual moment of internal party dissent.
Despite the mounting backlash, Trump refused to soften his stance. Speaking to reporters during a brief question-and-answer session, he reiterated his criticism of Reiner. “I wasn’t a fan of his at all,” Trump said, adding that Reiner was “a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.”
Referring to himself in the third person, Trump went on to claim that Reiner was “controlled by Russia,” “one of the people behind the Russia hoax,” and “very bad for our country.” He further alleged that Reiner damaged his own career and again invoked “Trump derangement syndrome.”
‘Mentally unfit’ to lead country
Rob Reiner, the director behind classics such as When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and A Few Good Men, had long been an outspoken critic of Trump. In a 2017 interview with Variety, Reiner stated that Trump was “mentally unfit” to serve as president, calling him “the single most unqualified human being” ever to assume the office and accusing him of having no understanding of—or interest in—how government functions.
Trump’s remarks and the subsequent backlash have reignited debate over presidential conduct in moments of national tragedy, leaving the public sharply divided over his response to the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner.
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