President Donald Trump has faced a wave of criticism from within his own party after posting a controversial statement on Truth Social following the deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. Despite calls from Republican lawmakers to show compassion for the grieving family, Trump has refused to back down from his initial remarks.
During a medal presentation at the White House on Monday afternoon, Trump was asked by reporters whether he stood by his original post in light of the Republican backlash.
“Well, I wasn’t a fan of his at all,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned. He said he liked it. He knew it was false. In fact, it’s the exact opposite, that I was a friend of Russia, controlled by Russia. You know, it was the Russia hoax. He was one of the people behind it. 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. I thought he was very bad for our country.”
The president’s comments come after his initial Truth Social post acknowledged the “very sad” nature of the couple’s passing but stopped short of offering condolences. In that statement, Trump characterized Reiner as “a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star,” and referenced what he described as “TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS,” a term commonly used by Trump’s supporters to describe those who criticize him.
The couple reportedly passed away in circumstances involving their son, who authorities say was struggling with s**stance dependency and other challenges. This family dimension has prompted several Republican lawmakers to urge the president to show restraint and empathy.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has evolved from a Trump ally to a critic, emphasized that the situation represents “a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.”
“Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically ended at the hands of their own son, who reportedly had s**stance dependency and other issues, and their remaining children are left in serious mourning and heartbreak,” Greene said. “Many families deal with a family member with substance dependency and mental health issues. It’s incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy especially when it ends in this way.”
Rep. Mike Lawler of New York also took issue with the president’s approach, writing on social media that Trump’s statement was “wrong.”
“Regardless of one’s political views, no one should be subjected to this, let alone at the hands of their own son,” Lawler said. “It’s a horrible tragedy that should engender sympathy and compassion from everyone in our country, period.”
Oklahoma Rep. Stephanie Bice similarly urged a focus on prayer rather than political point-scoring.
“A father and mother were taken at the hands of their troubled son,” Bice posted on X. “We should be lifting the family up in prayer, not making this about politics.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the situation when approached by reporters, though he did not directly comment on Trump’s specific words. Johnson called the news “apparently their son” was responsible part of a series of “unspeakable” recent tragedies, referencing other recent incidents including events at Australia and Brown University.
Throughout his career in Hollywood, Reiner was known for his outspoken political views and frequent criticism of Trump’s presidency and subsequent political activities.