President Donald Trump’s comments about the late filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner quickly lit up social media on Monday, drawing both backlash and support from across the political spectrum. The remarks came just hours after news broke that Reiner and his wife, Michele, were allegedly murdered Sunday night. Their son, Nick Reiner, was reportedly taken into custody in connection with the deaths. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details about a motive or formal charges.
On Truth Social, President Trump shared a lengthy message that sparked intense online reaction. “A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood,” Trump began. “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.”
The message continued, with Trump stating that Reiner “was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump,” adding that Reiner’s “paranoia reached new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness.” He closed the post by writing, “May Rob and Michele rest in peace!”
The internet response was swift, and the reactions were mixed. While some pointed to the president’s blunt tone and unusual phrasing as inappropriate during a time of personal tragedy, others defended his choice to speak candidly about a longtime critic.
One of the strongest responses came from within Trump’s own party. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) criticized the timing of the post. “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies,” she wrote on X.
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.
This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.
Many… pic.twitter.com/uVd3lGVEgm
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 15, 2025
British commentator Piers Morgan called the remarks “dreadful,” urging Trump to delete the post. “This is a dreadful thing to say about a man who just got murdered by his troubled son,” he said. “Delete it, Mr. President.”
Maria Shriver, a longtime friend of the Reiners, also responded strongly. “I try to rise above the noise all the time, but this individual has no human decency. This goes beyond,” she said. “We should all be horrified and disgusted by this inhumane behavior, because that’s what it is.” She added, “What kind of human being would share a statement like this, much less a president?”
While many were critical, not everyone disagreed with the president’s approach. Former congressman George Santos showed his support, writing, “All of you saying @POTUS should delete this are tone deaf! Are these words nice and fuzzy? No. But this man has been almost killed because of the rhetoric that people like Rob Reiner has spewed.”
All of you saying @POTUS should delete this are tone deaf!
Are these words nice and fuzzy? No.
But this man has been almost killed because of the rhetoric that people like Rob Reiner has spewed.
Rob Reiner would be celebrating alongside many Hollywood elites if it were potus… pic.twitter.com/Gzs7G0cfdY
— George Santos (@Georgesantos) December 15, 2025
Santos pointed to past moments when Trump was mocked after the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, adding, “Rob Reiner would be celebrating alongside many Hollywood elites if it were POTUS who was killed.”
Walter Curt, a political strategist, also voiced agreement with Trump’s post, suggesting it was about strength and not forgiveness. “Let me translate this post from President Trump on Rob Reiner for you: May God bless my enemies, because I f***ing won’t,” he wrote.
I see a lot of anger in Rob Reiners son Nick …. They say the old apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. It’s tragic what happened!
Liberals have humanity for Rob Reiner, but many had zero humanity for Charlie Kirk. The liberals like to Trash Talk, the conservatives and… pic.twitter.com/02QhusvV9W— Ann Williams (@annitried) December 15, 2025
As with many moments during the Trump presidency, this one has become a flashpoint in the broader national conversation around civility, media influence, and public discourse. The loss of Rob and Michele Reiner, under tragic and allegedly criminal circumstances, has now been entangled in the ongoing clash between Hollywood and Washington — with President Trump, once again, at the center.
