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Individuals from across the political spectrum and the Hollywood industry are uniting to condemn former President Donald Trump for his comments in the wake of the shocking passing of renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

An Inflammatory Social Media Statement

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood residence, Trump posted on his platform to label the late director as "tortured and struggling". The message, he asserted Reiner's demise was "due to the anger he caused others through his massive, relentless, and untreatable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post quickly shifted to self-praise, juxtaposing Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".

Police Developments and Detention

Police have since announced the detention of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in relation to the case. Reports indicate his bail was set at a substantial sum.

A Torrent of Criticism from Public Figures

The response to Trump's post was immediate and harsh.

This is a appalling and despicable statement,” said public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, similarly criticized the statements. She pointed to previous rhetoric from Trump about the killing of an activist, asking, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any lower?"

California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly wrote, "This is a sick man."

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

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "He's just crossed a line. Now implying the Reiners caused their own demise because they opposed him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from His Own Party

A number of Republican lawmakers also expressed dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a personal tragedy, not about politics or political enemies". Greene also mentioned challenges with substance abuse and mental health within families.

Another GOP congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "unacceptable and disgraceful" considering the circumstances. He publicly challenged members in his political party to justify the statements.

Reiner's Legacy and Views on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. In a past interview, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also warned about the risks of authoritarian rule if Trump be reelected to power.

"There is authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States crumble, there’s a danger that democratic systems crumble around the world."

Despite his pointed opposition, Reiner had in the past shown "absolute horror" and denounced violence for political ends without reservation after the shooting of a different individual.

An Ironic Link: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of historical irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the artist who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had previously shared the story of the photo shoot, mentioning Trump's demand for "a specific hair product" while posing on a high-rise with a view of Central Park.