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Individuals from across the partisan divide and the entertainment industry are uniting to censure Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the shocking passing of esteemed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Online Post

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Brentwood home, Trump took to social media to describe the late director as "tortured and struggling". The post, he asserted Reiner's death was "due to the anger he provoked others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post then pivoted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's alleged "intense obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".

Police Developments and Detention

Authorities have since announced the detention of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on suspicion of murder in relation to the incident. It is reported his bond was established at a significant sum.

A Torrent of Criticism from Public Figures

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

“What a appalling and despicable statement,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a close acquaintance, similarly criticized the statements. She referenced prior comments from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, demanding, "Have you no decency? Is it possible to get any lower?"

California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, simply wrote, "This is a sick man."

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

Senator Chris Murphy added, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying the Reiners brought on their own demise because they opposed him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from His Own Political Ranks

Some Republican lawmakers also expressed dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the event was "a family tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". She also mentioned struggles with addiction and mental health within families.

Fellow Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's discourse "unacceptable and disgraceful" given the circumstances. He openly challenged others in his political party to defend the statements.

The Director's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. In a past conversation, he stated Trump was "not psychologically suited" for the presidency. He had also warned about the dangers of authoritarian rule should Trump be reelected to power.

"There is authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States crumble, there’s a danger that democratic systems crumble around the world."

Despite his strong opposition, Reiner had previously shown "complete revulsion" and denounced violence for political ends unequivocally after the shooting of a different individual.

A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal

Adding a element of past connection, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the cover image for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once shared the story of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's demand for "special hairspray" as being photographed on a high-rise overlooking Central Park.