Former President Donald Trump has commented further on the death of Hollywood director Rob Reiner, following earlier remarks that drew criticism.
Incident Details
Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found deceased at their Los Angeles home on Sunday. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Police have not released any motive for the incident, nor have they indicated any connection between Reiner's political views, including his public criticism of Donald Trump, and the deaths.
Trump's Statements
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the couple's deaths as "very sad." He criticized Rob Reiner, stating, "He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump." Trump had previously linked Reiner's death to "Trump derangement syndrome," a term he frequently uses for his critics. Speaking to reporters, Trump reiterated his views, stating that Reiner was "very bad for our country."
Political Reactions
Trump's comments elicited criticism from various public figures, including several Republican Party members:
- Representative Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) stated on X that the discourse was "inappropriate and disrespectful" regarding a man who had been murdered.
- Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) commented that the murders constitute "a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies," and called for an empathetic response.
- Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) suggested that Trump should not have made the comments, adding that such remarks "detracts from his policy achievements."