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Individuals from both sides of the partisan aisle and the Hollywood world are uniting to denounce Donald Trump for his remarks in the wake of the shocking passing of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Online Post

Following the discovery of the couple dead at their Brentwood home, Trump posted on social media to label the late director as "anguished and struggling". In a post, he claimed Reiner's demise was "due to the anger he caused others through his enormous, relentless, and untreatable affliction with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

His comments quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, contrasting Reiner's supposed "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump described as the "Golden Age of America".

Police Developments and Arrest

Authorities have since confirmed the arrest of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to homicide in relation to the incident. Reports indicate his bond was set at a significant sum.

A Wave of Condemnation from Public Figures

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

This is a vile and despicable comment,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also condemned the remarks. Goldberg referenced previous comments from Trump about political violence, demanding, "Do you have no decency? Is it possible to get any lower?"

The state of California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, simply stated, "He is a sick man."

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

Senator Chris Murphy added, "Trump has just crossed a line. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner brought on their own demise because they opposed him. Deeply disturbing."

Rebuke from Within Party

Some GOP elected officials also expressed disapproval.

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

Another GOP representative, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disgraceful" considering the nature of the deaths. He publicly dared others in his political party to defend the comments.

Reiner's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a outspoken critic of Donald Trump. During a previous interview, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also cautioned about the dangers of authoritarian rule if Trump be reelected to power.

"There is authoritarianism making its move around the world," Reiner said. "If we fall, there’s a risk that democratic systems collapse around the world."

Regardless of his strong opposition, Reiner had in the past shown "complete revulsion" and condemned political violence without reservation following the killing of another individual.

An Ironic Connection: The Art of the Deal

Adding a layer of historical connection, Michele Reiner, formerly Michele Singer, was the photographer who shot the cover image for Donald Trump's 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner had once shared the anecdote of the session, noting Trump's request for "a specific hair product" while posing on a skyscraper overlooking Central Park.