Donald Trump has faced backlash after issuing what many have described as a “disgusting and shameful” tribute to Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, who were reportedly found dead at their Los Angeles home on Sunday, December 14.
The news sent sh0ckwaves around the world when it was revealed that authorities had opened a homicide investigation following the deaths of the acclaimed 78-year-old director and Michele, who was 68.
As tributes flooded in from across Hollywood, fellow filmmaking heavyweight Ron Howard praised Reiner as a “remarkable filmmaker,” saying his loss would be felt on many levels. In contrast, the U.S. president’s remarks struck a far more divisive and political tone, drawing sharp criticism.
Trump’s tribute on Truth Social read: “A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood.
“Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, 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, sometimes referred to as TDS.”
His statement on Reiner’s death continued to slam the When Harry Met Sally director, saying: “He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before.
“May Rob and Michele rest in peace!”
Some have responded to the president’s tribute with shock, with one astounded X user saying: “This is disgusting and shameful. A new low for Trump. Attacking Rob Reiner after his mu:r:der.”
Commentator Brian Krassenstein described the statement as ‘the most disgusting Post Donald Trump has ever made’.
In the meantime, Democratic strategist Max Burns called the tribute a ‘monstrosity’, and added: “I don’t want to hear another sanctimonious word from the Republicans who accused Democrats of not showing enough sadness when Charlie Kirk died.”
It has now emerged that the 78-year-old’s son, Nick, was arrested by police yesterday, and is being held on a $4 million bail, according to the LASD Inmate Center records.
Amid the furore caused by Trump’s comments, further tributes have poured in from around the world for the director and filmmaker, known for a legendary run of movies in the 1980s, including Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, and The Princess Bride.
Sir Elton John, who worked with Reiner on the recent Spinal Tap sequel, said: “I am in disbelief at today’s news of Rob and Michele.
“They were two of the most beautiful people I’d ever met and they deserved better.”
Ben Stiller joined the chorus of voices speaking out after Reiner’s tragic death at home, calling him ‘one of my favorite directors’, before explaining why he meant so much to people of his generation.
Stiller said: “Rob Reiner was one of my favorite directors. He made some of the most formative movies for my generation. He came out form behind a huge comedic shadow of the great Carl Reiner and being a tv actor to being a a great director who made an incredible run of movies.
“Spinal Tap is one of the best comedies ever made – and the list goes on. He was a kind caring person who was really really funny.”
