Trump’s Comments on Rob Reiner’s Death Draw Bipartisan Rebuke Amid Family Tragedy
LOS ANGELES — The shocking deaths of the acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in their Brentwood home have plunged Hollywood and political circles into grief, but the tragedy has also ignited a fierce political controversy after President Donald J. Trump attributed the couple’s killings to Reiner’s vocal criticism of him, invoking the phrase “Trump derangement syndrome.”
On Monday, as tributes poured in for Reiner — the filmmaker behind enduring classics like “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally…” and “A Few Good Men” — Trump posted on Truth Social that Reiner, “a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director,” had died “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”
The president’s remarks, which made no mention of the couple’s son, Nick Reiner, who has been arrested and booked on suspicion of murder in connection with the stabbings, drew swift condemnation from Republicans and Democrats alike. Law enforcement officials have emphasized that there is no evidence linking the killings to political motives, describing the incident instead as a domestic tragedy tied to longstanding family struggles, including Nick Reiner’s history of addiction.
Former Trump campaign adviser David Urban called the president’s post “indefensible” during a television appearance, while Jenna Ellis, a onetime legal adviser to Trump, wrote on social media that it set a “horrible example” and should be “condemned by everyone with any decency.” Even staunch Trump allies expressed discomfort: Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene described the deaths as “a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies,” and Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana suggested the president “should have said nothing.”
The backlash underscored a rare moment of cross-aisle unity in condemning the politicization of violence, particularly in the wake of earlier political assassinations this year, including that of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Reiner himself had publicly denounced Kirk’s killing in September, calling it “absolute horror” and praising Kirk’s widow for her grace in forgiving the assailant. “That should never happen to anybody,” Reiner said in an interview at the time. “I don’t care what your political beliefs are.”
Reiner, 78, rose to fame as Michael Stivic — the liberal “Meathead” — on the groundbreaking sitcom “All in the Family,” opposite Carroll O’Connor’s Archie Bunker. The role earned him two Emmy Awards and cemented his place in television history. Transitioning behind the camera, he co-founded Castle Rock Entertainment and directed a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films that defined late-20th-century American cinema.
His directorial debut, the mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap” (1984), revolutionized comedy with its satirical take on rock excess. Subsequent works like “Stand By Me” (1986), an adaptation of Stephen King’s novella evoking childhood friendship and loss, and “The Princess Bride” (1987), a whimsical fairy tale blending romance and adventure, became cultural touchstones. “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989), written by Nora Ephron and starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, offered a sharp, witty exploration of modern relationships, while “Misery” (1990) and “A Few Good Men” (1992) showcased his versatility in thriller and courtroom drama.
Reiner’s later career included politically charged documentaries and films, reflecting his outspoken liberalism. He was a prominent critic of Trump, a major Democratic donor and an advocate for causes including gun control and democracy reform. Yet friends and colleagues from across the ideological spectrum remembered him as principled rather than partisan. One conservative commentator recalled private conversations with Reiner, describing him as a “great patriot” who respected differing views on how best to serve the country.
The investigation into the Reiners’ deaths remains ongoing. Los Angeles police responded to a medical call at the couple’s home on Sunday afternoon, discovering the bodies with stab wounds. Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested hours later and is being held without bail. Sources familiar with the family have pointed to a heated argument between father and son at a holiday party the night before, though authorities have released few details.
Hollywood figures, including actors who worked with Reiner, expressed devastation. Mandy Patinkin, star of “The Princess Bride,” called the loss a reminder to “cherish every moment we are alive.” Christopher Guest and Jamie Lee Curtis, longtime collaborators, said they were “numb and shocked.”
As the nation grapples with yet another instance of senseless violence — amid a year marked by political assassinations and threats — Reiner’s death has prompted reflection on the toxic polarization he often decried. His final film, the long-awaited sequel “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” released just months ago, served as a reminder of his enduring comedic genius and collaborative spirit.
In a statement, the Reiner family asked for privacy during this “unbelievably difficult time.” For many, the tragedy serves as a somber call to lower the temperature of public discourse, echoing Reiner’s own pleas for civility in divided times.
