As the city of angels tries to make sense of the tragic loss of Hollywood heavyweight Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, Donald Trump has found himself in the spotlight once again. The former president has doubled down on his criticism following their shocking deaths, leading to a wave of backlash across social media and beyond.
In a statement that many found disturbing, Trump referred to Reiner's demise as a result of "TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME." When questioned by reporters in the Oval Office, Trump chose not to soften his stance, remarking, "Well I wasn't a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person, as far as Trump is concerned."
"He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump," Trump stated, doubling down on the rhetoric that has left many shocked and dismayed.
A pall has been cast over Brentwood, California, where the Reiners were found dead, allegedly at the hands of their son Nick, who is currently in custody. Friends and neighbors, including Maria Shriver, have taken to social media to express their grief and anger over Trump's comments.
In a heartfelt series of posts, Shriver didn’t hold back: "This goes beyond. It’s absolutely disgusting. We should all be horrified and disgusted by this inhumane behavior, because that’s what it is." She portrayed the Reiners as "good, kind, loving people," urging those who knew them to rise above the noise and remember the essence of who they were.
Reiner, an outspoken critic of Trump, was known for his progressive politics and vocal stance against the former president. In his lifetime, he was a fervent advocate for what he believed was a sliding democracy under Trump's administration, drawing parallels to a "McCarthy era-esque" climate.
Just two months before the tragic turn of events, Reiner warned about the dangers he saw looming over the United States, citing media control and military presence as "two big things an autocrat needs." His passionate insights into American politics will remain part of his enduring legacy, a testament to his deep belief in democracy.
As the community and the nation grapple with the loss, the words of those like Shriver remind us of the power of compassion and humanity in times of tragedy.