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Figures from both sides of the political divide and the Hollywood world are uniting to censure former President Donald Trump for his remarks in the wake of the shocking passing of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Post

After the couple were found deceased at their Brentwood home, Trump took to social media to label the deceased director as "anguished and suffering". The message, he asserted Reiner's death was "because of the anger he provoked others through his massive, relentless, and untreatable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Law Enforcement Update and Detention

Authorities have since announced the arrest of the couple's 32-year-old son, Nick, on suspicion of homicide in connection with the case. It is reported his bail was established at a substantial amount.

A Wave of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

The response to Trump's words was swift and scathing.

This is a disgusting and vile statement,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a friend, also criticized the remarks. She referenced previous comments from Trump about political violence, demanding, "Have you no decency? Can you get any worse?"

California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly stated, "This is a disturbed man."

Mirroring this view, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost said, "He is a despicable piece of trash."

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "Trump has just crossed a line. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Party

A number of Republican lawmakers also voiced dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". Greene also alluded to struggles with addiction and psychological well-being within families.

Another Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "unacceptable and disrespectful" considering the nature of the deaths. He publicly dared members in his political party to defend the statements.

The Director's History and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was long a vocal detractor of Donald Trump. In a previous interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the presidency. He had also warned about the dangers of autocracy if Trump return to power.

"There is authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner said. "Should the United States crumble, there’s a danger that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Despite his strong criticisms, Reiner had in the past expressed "absolute horror" and condemned political violence unequivocally following the shooting of another individual.

A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal

Providing a layer of past irony, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the cover image for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once shared the anecdote of the photo shoot, noting Trump's request for "special hairspray" as being photographed on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.