Some Republicans, but more Democrats, have condemned President Donald Trump for his sharp Truth Social post in which he said film director Rob Reiner, who was found dead in his home on Sunday with his wife, had “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Five House Republicans and many Democrats have criticized Trump for the post, which some said is insensitive.
In the post, Trump wrote 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.” Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested on felony charges.
So far, Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Don Bacon (R-NE), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Stephanie Bice (R-OK) have criticized Trump for his post. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) did not criticize Trump directly, but mourned Reiner and shared a Bible verse that emphasizes empathy for mourners.
Massie’s comments were among the most direct from Republicans. He challenged the administration to defend Trump’s comment.
“Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered,” Massie wrote on X. “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.”
Greene suggested that Trump should not have made the incident about politics.
“This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies,” she wrote on X.
Bacon said Trump’s post was “not presidential,” while Bice echoed Greene’s call to keep the tragedy away from politics. Lawler said Trump’s statement was “wrong” and that the Reiner family deserves sympathy.
Several Democratic senators and other prominent figures within the party also took a stance on Trump’s post.
“He’s just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they didn’t support him. So sick,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) wrote on X.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Trump “knows no shame” and is a “total jackass.” Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) said Trump’s post was a mistake.
“His and his wife’s lives were tragically stolen, and their loved ones deserve our condolences, not this insulting filth from Donald Trump,” she wrote on X.
Hollywood also took issue with Trump’s post. Patrick Schwarzenegger, an actor and the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, called Trump’s post “a disgusting and vile statement.”
MAJOR DEMOCRATIC DONOR ROB REINER AND WIFE FOUND DEAD IN HOME: WHAT WE KNOW
Trump has yet to comment further on the incident. Several other former presidents, including Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton, have mourned Reiner, who was a prominent Democratic donor and supported liberal causes.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the White House on the criticism, but received no response.
