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By Andrew Stanton and Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump brushed off criticism from fellow Republicans over the backlash from his post on Truth Social after the death of actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner.
The Context
Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their California home on Sunday. Reiner was one of Hollywood’s most prolific film directors, known for movies including When Harry Met Sally…, The Princess Bride and A Few Good Men. He was also a vocal critic of Trump, calling him "mentally unfit" to be president in a 2017 interview with Variety.
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Trump earlier on Monday reacted to his death on Truth Social, writing that Reiner 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." The post was met with a tsunami of backlash from Democrats and Republicans alike, who lamented it as in poor taste.
Essential reading: Trump’s Rob Reiner Insult and the Death of Dissent
What To Know
Trump responded to that backlash later on Monday.
Asked whether he stood by his post about Reiner, the president said Monday afternoon in the Oval Office that he was “not a fan” of Reiner and described him as “a deranged person,” dismissing concerns raised by MAGA Republicans.
"I think he hurt himself career-wise. He became like a deranged person. Trump Derangement Syndrome. So 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."
Conservative commentator Sage Steele described the post as "disappointing."
"And so unnecessary," she wrote on X. "It’s comments like this that take away from the countless great things @realDonaldTrump does for America."
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Conservative filmmaker Robby Starbuck wrote on X, "What happened last night to Rob Reiner and his wife was a savage butchering of 2 human lives. I don’t care what their politics were or how they felt about Trump, no law abiding human deserves this. We should pray for + send condolences to his loved ones and NOT make it political."
Commentator Tim Pool wrote, "Trump has personal reasons to be upset with Reiner but he can do better. This was not appropriate. Rob was very gracious when Charlie was murdered. We can return that grace."
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican and once close Trump ally, also spoke out against his post.
"Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically killed at the hands of their own son, who reportedly had drug addiction and other issues, and their remaining children are left in serious mourning and heartbreak," Greene wrote on X. "This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies. Many families deal with a family member with drug addiction and mental health issues. It’s incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy especially when it ends in murder."
What Did Trump Post About Rob Reiner?
"A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "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. 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!" he wrote.
Police Say Rob Reiner's Son, Nick, 'Responsible' for Deaths: What We Know
Rob and Michele Reiner's 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, had been arrested in connection with their deaths and is being held without bail, officials said on Monday.
"As a result of the initial investigation, it was determined that the Reiners were the victims of homicide," the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement. "The investigation further revealed that Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Robert and Michele Reiner, was responsible for their deaths. Nick Reiner was located and arrested at approximately 9:15 p.m. He was booked for murder and remains in custody with no bail, under Booking Number 7144668."
What People Are Saying
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, responded to Trump's post on X: "This is a sick man."
Conservative commentator Erick Erickson wrote on X: "This statement is wrong. Regardless of one’s political views, no one should be subjected to violence, let alone at the hands of their own son. It’s a horrible tragedy that should engender sympathy and compassion from everyone in our country, period."
Representative Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, wrote on X: "This statement is wrong. Regardless of one’s political views, no one should be subjected to violence, let alone at the hands of their own son. It’s a horrible tragedy that should engender sympathy and compassion from everyone in our country, period."
What Happens Next
The Reiners' deaths remain under investigation.
Update 12/15/25, 5:02 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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