Trump comments on deaths of US filmmaker Rob Reiner and wife cause outrage

Rob Reiner, who was recovered dead alongside his wife, Michele Reiner, astatine their Los Angeles location successful what constabulary are investigating arsenic a treble homicide, was not lone a celebrated filmmaker but besides a longtime Democratic Party protagonist and 1 of US President Donald Trump’s astir outspoken critics.

Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele, 70, were discovered dormant astatine their location connected Sunday. Their son, Nick Reiner, has since been arrested connected homicide charges.

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During Trump’s archetypal term, Reiner repeatedly described the president arsenic “mentally unfit” and “unqualified” to service successful office.

Now, Trump has caused outrage by linking the couple’s decease to their idiosyncratic dislike of his presidency.

Trump’s comments

In a societal media station connected Monday, Trump referred to Reiner arsenic “tortured and struggling” and said helium and his woman had passed away, “reportedly owed to the choler helium caused” by opposing Trump arsenic president.

“He was known to person driven radical CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump,” the president wrote connected Truth Social.

The president, who often lashes retired astatine his opponents and praises nationalist figures who enactment him, provided nary grounds that Reiner’s governmental views contributed successful immoderate mode to the couple’s death.

Trump’s station drew fierce disapproval online from some Democratic and Republican politicians.

Republican Mike Lawler of New York

Republican Congressman Mike Lawler said connected X that Trump’s connection was “wrong”.

“Regardless of one’s governmental views, nary 1 should beryllium subjected to violence,” helium said.

This connection is wrong.

Regardless of one’s governmental views, nary 1 should beryllium subjected to violence, fto unsocial astatine the hands of their ain son. It’s a horrible calamity that should engender sympathy and compassion from everyone successful our country, period. https://t.co/WjZ6kOoomR

— Mike Lawler (@lawler4ny) December 15, 2025

Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky

US Representative Massie described Trump’s comments arsenic “inappropriate and disrespectful sermon astir a antheral who was conscionable brutally murdered”.

Massie is simply a Trump professional connected the Republican broadside of the House of Representatives.

Regardless of however you felt astir Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful sermon astir a antheral who was conscionable brutally murdered. I conjecture my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House unit volition conscionable disregard it due to the fact that they’re afraid? I situation anyone to support it. pic.twitter.com/j3dvzRxLQJ

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 15, 2025

Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia

Lawmaker Greene, who was erstwhile 1 of Trump’s fiercest allies successful Congress, and is present 1 of his strongest critics, said, “This is simply a household tragedy, not astir authorities oregon governmental enemies”.

“Many families woody with a household subordinate with cause addiction and intelligence wellness issues. It’s incredibly hard and should beryllium met with empathy particularly erstwhile it ends successful murder,” she wrote connected X.

Rob Reiner and his woman were tragically killed astatine the hands of their ain son, who reportedly had cause addiction and different issues, and their remaining children are near successful superior mourning and heartbreak.

This is simply a household tragedy, not astir authorities oregon governmental enemies.

Many… pic.twitter.com/uVd3lGVEgm

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 15, 2025

Republican Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma

“A begetter and parent were murdered astatine the hands of their troubled son,” Congresswoman Bice said connected X.

“We should beryllium lifting the household up successful prayer, not making this astir politics,” she added.

A begetter and parent were murdered astatine the hands of their troubled son. We should beryllium lifting the household up successful prayer, not making this astir politics.

Eternal remainder assistance unto them, O Lord, and fto perpetual airy radiance upon them. https://t.co/blmamdoGX8

— Stephanie Bice (@stephaniebice) December 15, 2025

Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska

“I’d expect to perceive thing similar this from a drunk feline astatine a bar, not the president of the United States,” Congressman Bacon, who retires from the House adjacent year, told CNN.

David Axelrod, erstwhile main strategist to President Barack Obama

Axelrod described Trump’s comments arsenic “perverse”.

“The lack of empathy & grace for the Reiner household successful their infinitesimal of profound nonaccomplishment and grief is bittersweet and revealing. For @POTUS, his grievances trump their grief,” helium said connected X.

What this perverse station from @realDonaldTrump displays is what we spot each day: "Trump Obsession Syndrome."
The lack of empathy & grace for the Reiner household successful their infinitesimal of profound nonaccomplishment and grief is bittersweet and revealing.
For @POTUS, his grievances trump their grief. pic.twitter.com/OrybnAPJAI

— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) December 15, 2025

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut

Senator Murphy said Trump had “lost it”.

“Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their ain execution due to the fact that they didn’t enactment him. So sick,” helium wrote.

He's conscionable mislaid it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their ain execution due to the fact that they didn't enactment him.

So sick. pic.twitter.com/Ru1JNuMexj

— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 15, 2025

Former President Barack Obama

“Rob’s achievements successful movie and tv gave america immoderate of our astir cherished stories connected screen,” Obama said connected X.

“But beneath each of the stories helium produced was a heavy content successful the goodness of radical – and a lifelong committedness to putting that content into action.”

Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michelle. Rob’s achievements successful movie and tv gave america immoderate of our astir cherished stories connected screen. But beneath each of the stories helium produced was a heavy content successful the goodness of…

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 15, 2025

Bill and Hillary Clinton

Former President Bill Clinton shared a connection connected X from him and his wife, Hillary, who ran against Trump successful the 2016 statesmanlike election.

“Hillary and I are heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our friends Rob and Michele Reiner. They inspired and uplifted millions done their enactment successful movie and television,” the Clintons said successful the statement.

“And they were good, generous radical who made everyone who knew them amended done their progressive citizenship successful defence of inclusive democracy, mounting an illustration for america each to follow. Hillary and I volition ever beryllium grateful for their friendship, unfailing kindness, and support.”

Hillary's and my connection connected the passing of our friends Rob and Michele Reiner: pic.twitter.com/7sri2Q9OrM

— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) December 15, 2025

Florida Governor Gavin Newsom

“Rob was the big-hearted genius down truthful galore of the classical stories we love, with projects arsenic wide-ranging arsenic The Princess Bride to A Few Good Men,” Newsom said connected X.

“His boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations however to spot goodness and righteousness successful others – and encouraging america to imagination bigger. That empathy extended good beyond his films,” helium added.

Jen and I are heartbroken by the tragic nonaccomplishment of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

Rob was the big-hearted genius down truthful galore of the classical stories we love, with projects arsenic wide-ranging arsenic The Princess Bride to A Few Good Men. His boundless empathy made his stories… pic.twitter.com/JEYeY7DYO6

— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) December 15, 2025

James Woods, US histrion and producer

“Rob and I remained bully friends ever since we made GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI,” Woods said connected X.

“The workplace didn’t deliberation I was aged capable to bash the part, but Rob fought for me. Political differences ne'er stood successful the mode of our emotion and respect for each other. I americium devastated by this unspeakable event.”

Rob and I remained bully friends ever since we made GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI. The workplace didn’t deliberation I was aged capable to bash the part, but Rob fought for me. Political differences ne'er stood successful the mode of our emotion and respect for each other. I americium devastated by this unspeakable event. https://t.co/eL1lurqyzV

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) December 15, 2025

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

“This is simply a devastating nonaccomplishment for our metropolis and our country. Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate passim American civilization and society, and helium improved countless lives done his originative enactment and advocacy for societal and economical justice,” Bass wrote connected X.

The passing of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner is simply a tragedy. In moments of loss, decency matters.

Donald Trump’s effect successful this infinitesimal shows determination is nary bottom, nary extent helium volition not descend to, adjacent successful the look of grief.

Rob Reiner’s bequest arsenic a filmmaker, advocate, and…

— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) December 15, 2025

Joe and Jill Biden

Former President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, besides shared their condolences online.

“Jill and I nonstop our deepest condolences to everyone whose lives were touched by Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s bonzer contributions,” Joe Biden wrote connected X.

“We instrumentality solace successful knowing their enactment volition unrecorded connected for generations to come.”

Jill and I nonstop our deepest condolences to everyone whose lives were touched by Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s bonzer contributions. We instrumentality solace successful knowing their enactment volition unrecorded connected for generations to come.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 15, 2025

Nancy Pelosi, erstwhile House speaker

“The quality of a deadly battle connected Rob and Michelle Reiner successful their location is devastating. It’s hard to deliberation of anyone much singular and fantabulous successful each tract and endeavor they pursued,” Pelosi said.

“Rob was creative, funny, and beloved. And successful each of their endeavors, Michelle was his indispensable partner, intelligence resource, and a loving wife.”

The quality of a deadly battle connected Rob and Michelle Reiner successful their location is devastating. It’s hard to deliberation of anyone much singular and fantabulous successful each tract and endeavor they pursued. Rob was creative, funny, and beloved. And successful each of their endeavors, Michelle was his…

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 15, 2025