Donald Trump Reiterates Criticism of Deceased Director Rob Reiner
Donald Trump has repeated his criticism of Hollywood director Rob Reiner, following earlier comments by Trump regarding the director's death that had drawn widespread condemnation. Reiner had been a long-standing critic of Trump.
Trump's StatementsTrump informed reporters that Reiner was "very bad for our country." Previously, on Truth Social, Trump had connected Reiner's death to "Trump derangement syndrome," a phrase he frequently employs to characterize his critics. In the social media post, which described the couple's deaths as "very sad," Trump criticized Reiner, stating: "He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump."
Circumstances of Reiner's DeathRob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were discovered deceased at their Los Angeles residence on Sunday. Authorities have since apprehended their son, Nick Reiner, on suspicion of murder. Police have not provided any motive for the incident, nor have they indicated any evidence suggesting Reiner's political views or criticism of Trump played a role in their deaths.
Political ReactionsTrump's comments garnered significant criticism, including from prominent Republicans:
- Representative Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) stated on X that the remarks were "inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered." He challenged others to defend the comments.
- Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) commented that the situation constitutes "a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies," and that the murders should be "met with empathy."
- Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) suggested that Trump should have refrained from comment. "I think President Trump should have said nothing. I think when the president says these sorts of things, it detracts from his policy achievements."
Multiple other senior members of Trump's party reportedly distanced themselves from the remarks.