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Figures from across the political divide and the entertainment industry are coming together to condemn former President Donald Trump for his remarks in the wake of the tragic deaths of renowned director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.

A Provocative Online Statement

Following the discovery of the couple deceased at their Brentwood residence, Trump took to social media to describe the late director as "tortured and suffering". In a message, he asserted Reiner's demise was "due to the anger he provoked others through his enormous, relentless, and incurable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".

The post quickly shifted to praising his own achievements, juxtaposing Reiner's alleged "raging obsession" and "obvious paranoia" with what Trump called the "Golden Age of America".

Police Update and Detention

Authorities have since confirmed the detention of the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, on charges related to murder in connection with the incident. It is reported his bond was established at a significant sum.

A Torrent of Criticism from Celebrities and Politicians

The reaction to Trump's words was immediate and scathing.

This is a disgusting and vile comment,” said public figure Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner a friend, also criticized the remarks. Goldberg pointed to previous rhetoric from Trump about political violence, asking, "Have you no shame? Is it possible to get any worse?"

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

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

Senator Chris Murphy commented, "Trump has just lost it. Now implying the Reiners caused their own demise because they didn’t support him. So sick."

Criticism from Within Political Ranks

A number of Republican lawmakers also expressed dismay.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the situation was "a personal tragedy, not about political feuds or political enemies". Greene also alluded to challenges with substance abuse and mental health some families face.

Fellow Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's remarks "unacceptable and disrespectful" considering the circumstances. He publicly dared others in his political party to justify the statements.

The Director's Legacy and Stance on Trump

Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal critic of Donald Trump. During a past conversation, he argued Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also warned about the dangers of autocracy if Trump return to power.

"We see authoritarianism on the rise around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States fall, there’s a risk that democracy collapse around the world."

Regardless of his pointed opposition, Reiner had previously expressed "absolute horror" and denounced political violence unequivocally after the killing of another 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 once recounted the anecdote of the session, mentioning Trump's request for "a specific hair product" as posing on a high-rise overlooking Central Park.