U.S. President Donald Trump ignited widespread backlash after publishing a caustic Truth Social post about the death of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, prompting condemnation from Hollywood figures, Democrats and senior Republicans, many of whom said the president crossed a moral line by politicizing a family tragedy.
In the post, Trump falsely suggested that Reiner, an outspoken liberal critic of the president, 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.” Trump went on to describe Reiner as “tortured and struggling” and claimed his obsession with Trump had “driven people CRAZY,” before concluding with “May Rob and Michele rest in peace!”
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U.S. President Donald Trump and Rob Reiner
(Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for TCM, Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/ AFP)
The post came after police confirmed that Reiner, 78, and Michele Reiner, 68, were found dead in their Los Angeles home in what authorities are treating as apparent homicides. Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested and is accused of killing his parents. Investigators have not suggested any political motive for the crime.
The reaction to Trump’s remarks was swift and furious.
Late night host Jimmy Kimmel addressed the post on his show, calling it another low point for the president. “Just when you think he can’t go any lower he somehow finds a way to do that,” Kimmel said. He rejected Trump’s characterization of events, adding, “This is exactly what I’ve spoken about before, this rush to pin the tail on the donkey in pursuit of the Trump friendly narrative, not to mention blaming his death on the fact that he is an outspoken liberal, insulting someone who’s just been murdered who leaves children behind, without having any idea of what actually happened.”
Kimmel said he initially believed the post was fake. “Even for him that seems like too much,” he said. “But nothing is ever too much for him.”
After playing footage of Trump doubling down when questioned by a reporter in the White House, Kimmel added, “That corroded brain is in charge of our lives. If you voted for that, it’s OK to reconsider.”
Musician Jack White also condemned Trump in a blistering Instagram post, reposting a screenshot of the Truth Social message. “Trump you disgusting, vile, egomaniac loser, child,” White wrote. “Neither he nor any one of his followers can defend this gross, horrible insult to a beautiful artist who gave the world so much.”
White accused Trump of exploiting a tragedy for political gain. “To use someone’s tragic death to promote your own vanity and fascist authoritarian agenda is a corrupt and narcissistic sin,” he wrote, before concluding, “God bless you Rob Reiner and thank you for what you gave the world. I never even met you and I still stand by you.”
Actor Josh Gad also responded angrily on Threads after Trump repeated his comments later in the day. “There is no low that is too low for this f**king psychopath,” Gad wrote. “Rob Reiner was 1000 times the man you are, and unlike you, he actually cared about the American people.”
Gad contrasted Trump’s remarks with his own tribute to Reiner, whom he described as “one of the greatest directors of our time” and “a beautiful person,” adding that both Rob and Michele Reiner were “two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine.”
Trump did not retreat from his comments. Hours after the Truth Social post, he was asked about it by reporters in the Oval Office and reiterated his views. “I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way, shape or form,” Trump said. “I thought he was very bad for our country.” He also described Reiner as a “deranged person” and accused him of being partly “behind” previous claims of collusion between Russia and Trump’s campaign.
The remarks drew criticism from within Trump’s own party.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky wrote on X, “Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.” Massie added, “I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they’re afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it.”
Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a close Trump ally, said, “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies,” and called for the murders to be “met with empathy.”
Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana said Trump should have stayed silent. “I think a wise man once said nothing,” Kennedy said. “I think President Trump should have said nothing. I think when the president says these sorts of things, it detracts from his policy achievements.”
Reiner, a lifelong Democrat and prominent liberal activist, frequently criticized Trump during his career. In 2017, he called Trump “mentally unfit” for office, and in an interview published in October, he warned that Trump was pushing the United States toward “full on autocracy.”
Trump has previously drawn criticism for disparaging political opponents after their deaths. After Senator John McCain died in 2019, Trump said he was “never a fan” of the Arizona Republican. That same year, Trump suggested that the late Democratic lawmaker John Dingell might be “looking up” from the grave, a comment widely interpreted as implying he was in hell.
Rob Reiner was known for directing a string of iconic films across genres, including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Stand by Me,” “Misery,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “A Few Good Men.” Michele Reiner, an actress, photographer and producer, ran the Reiner Light photography agency and production company. The couple married in 1989 and had three children together.
As tributes from across the entertainment industry continue to pour in, critics say Trump’s post has overshadowed a moment of mourning, turning a personal tragedy into yet another flashpoint in the country’s bitter political divide.