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Personalities from both sides of the political aisle and the entertainment world are coming together to censure Donald Trump for his statements following the shocking deaths of renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Online Statement

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Brentwood residence, Trump posted on social media to label the deceased director as "tortured and struggling". The message, he claimed Reiner's death was "because of the hostility he provoked others through his enormous, unyielding, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, juxtaposing Reiner's alleged "intense obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Police Update and Detention

Authorities have since announced the detention of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on charges related to murder in connection with the incident. Reports indicate his bail was established at a substantial sum.

A Torrent of Condemnation from Public Figures

The reaction to Trump's post was swift and harsh.

“What a vile and despicable statement,” said public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, also condemned the statements. She pointed to prior rhetoric from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, asking, "Do you have no shame? Can you get any lower?"

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

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

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just lost it. Now implying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they opposed him. So sick."

Criticism from His Own Party

A number of Republican lawmakers also voiced dismay.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the event was "a personal tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". Greene also alluded to struggles with substance abuse and mental health within families.

Fellow Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, labeled Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disrespectful" considering the circumstances. He publicly challenged members in his party to defend the comments.

The Director's Legacy and Stance on Trump

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

"We see autocracy on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "If we crumble, there’s a risk that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Regardless of his strong criticisms, Reiner had in the past expressed "absolute horror" and denounced political violence without reservation after the killing of a different individual.

A Notable Link: The Art of the Deal

Providing a element of past connection, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the artist who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously shared the anecdote of the photo shoot, noting Trump's request for "a specific hair product" while being photographed on a skyscraper with a view of Central Park.