President Trump on Monday said “Trump Derangement Syndrome” led to the deaths of film director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.
While Democrats praised Mr. Reiner for his creativity and empathy, Mr. Trump focused on the criticism that the couple — found dead Sunday in their Los Angeles home – had lobbed his way through the years.
“A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. 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,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Police said they were investigating “an apparent homicide” at the Brentwood home of Mr. Reiner, who balanced his Hollywood career with heavy campaigning for Democratic candidates.
The police on Monday said they have arrested the couples’ son, Nick, in connection with the slayings.
Mr. Reiner rose to prominence as a sitcom actor in the series “All in the Family.”
Later, he hit it big as a director of beloved movies such as “This is Spinal Tap,” “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally…”
The president said Mr. Reiner “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,” Mr. Trump wrote. “May Rob and Michele rest in peace!”
Mr. Trump’s comments were a jarring contrast to praise from prominent Democrats.
Former President Barack Obama said Monday that he and former first lady Michelle Obama were “heartbroken” over the Reiners’ deaths.
“Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen,” Mr. Obama wrote on X. “But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people—and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.”
Los Angeles police said they found the bodies of Mr. Reiner and his wife when they responded to a call at the home at 3:40 p.m. local time Sunday.
“Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose,” Mr. Obama wrote. “They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the news “devastating” and said Mr. Reiner was “creative, funny, and beloved.”
“Civically, he was a champion for the First Amendment and the creative rights of artists,” she wrote on X. “And professionally, he was an iconic figure in film who made us laugh, cry and think with the movies he created.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, praised Mr. Reiner for his “empathy.”
“That empathy extended well beyond his films,” the governor said on social media. “Rob was a passionate advocate for children and for civil rights — from taking on Big Tobacco, fighting for marriage equality, to serving as a powerful voice in early education. He made California a better place through his good works.”
Stephen King, a famous novelist who has supported Democrats and liberal causes, pointed to his collaborations with Mr. Reiner.
“Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker (including 2 of mine),” Mr. King wrote on X. “Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me.”
