Former President Donald Trump sparked fierce backlash on 15 December 2025 by posting a controversial message on Truth Social about the recent deaths of acclaimed director Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele, 68, found dead at their Brentwood, Los Angeles home with their 32-year-old son Nick arrested on suspicion of murder and held on $4 million bail. Trump suggested Reiner died because of what he called “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” linking the tragedy to Reiner’s criticism of him rather than offering condolences. 

 

Reiner was a prominent Hollywood figure and vocal critic of Trump’s politics, warning in past interviews about threats to democracy and autocracy under Trump’s influence. He had been active publicly in political discourse and film for decades. His wife Michele was a photographer and had professional ties to Trump’s earlier career. 

 

Trump’s post drew immediate condemnation from across the political spectrum. Lawmakers from both parties, including Republicans Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie, urged empathy and called the comments inappropriate, while Democrats labelled the remarks “despicable” and “heartless.” Celebrities and public figures also pushed back, urging respect for the grieving family and denouncing the politicization of the tragic deaths. 

 

Experts and commentators caution that such rhetoric could deepen national divisions and distract from the ongoing homicide investigation by Los Angeles police. Observers note that mixing political commentary with a family tragedy can erode public trust and empathy in discourse. 

 

Looking ahead, attention remains on the legal proceedings involving Nick Reiner, the LAPD investigation details yet to be fully disclosed, and the broader cultural conversation about political rhetoric following personal tragedies. Public figures expect ongoing debate about presidential communication norms and respectful engagement during moments of loss. 

 

Key Takeaways

 

Trump’s social media comments blamed Reiner’s death on “Trump Derangement Syndrome” rather than offering condolences.

 

Bipartisan leaders and celebrities condemned the remarks as insensitive amid a homicide investigation.

 

Focus now shifts to the ongoing legal case against Nick Reiner and discussions about political discourse standards.

 

Adapted From 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/15/trump-rob-reiner-reaction-truth-social

 

Truth Social Link 

 

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115724141568860081

Before the barrage of faux outrage begins, please can the many Trump haters here consider how their reaction will be when Trump passes. 

 

It is very sad Reiner met this fate. But Trump does have a valid point. Reiner ruined his life by going down the anti Trump hatred rabbithole (Trump phrased it better) which was very unfortunate as he should have been enjoying his silver years.

3 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Before the barrage of faux outrage begins, please can the many Trump haters here consider how their reaction will be when Trump passes. 

 

It is very sad Reiner met this fate. But Trump does have a valid point. Reiner ruined his life by going down the anti Trump hatred rabbithole (Trump phrased it better) which was very unfortunate as he should have been enjoying his silver years.

Trump’s remarks are a symptom of the sick malice that defines his character.

 

Of which you present a passable resemblance.

Looking forward to lots of faux outrage from the same group of nasty bitter lefties that mocked Kirk's death and will certainly mock Trump's death when it happens. 

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Trump’s remarks are a symptom of the sick malice that defines his character.

 

Of which you present a passable resemblance.

 

Or maybe the result of being shot in the ear by someone who was incited by people like Reiner whose unhinged rants incited them?

I don't think Trump's comments were well advised.  But then, I didn't get shot in the ear.

 

I guess getting shot in the ear changes your perspective.

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Looking forward to lots of faux outrage from the same group of nasty bitter lefties that mocked Kirk's death and will certainly mock Trump's death when it happens. 

 

There were certainly a lot of the same hypocrites lamenting that Crooks missed, and are now claiming some kind of moral high ground.

 

I imagine you see things differently after you've taken one in the ear as a result of being compared to Hitler and called out as a threat to democracy.

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

There were certainly a lot of the same hypocrites lamenting that Crooks missed, and are now claiming some kind of moral high ground.

 

I imagine you see things differently after you've taken one in the ear as a result of being compared to Hitler and called out as a threat to democracy.

It would take a seriously deranged person to equate these comments with what was a family tragedy that is no business of yours or anyone else outside the family.

'Faux outrage' - bit foreign isn't it? - appears to be the latest in-phase for those needing to excuse insensitive, unacceptable behaviour on the part of Trump.

 

No doubt, this comment will stoke a 'faux' sense of grievance and 'whataboutery' replies from some quarters.

13 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Or maybe the result of being shot in the ear by someone who was incited by people like Reiner whose unhinged rants incited them?

I don't think Trump's comments were well advised.  But then, I didn't get shot in the ear.

 

I guess getting shot in the ear changes your perspective.

 

Here's my perspective. If only that bullet had been a wee bit more to the left.

 

Cue the "faux outrage"...

'Words have consequences'  ..... if you say something about Charlie Kirk.  However if you say nasty things about Rob Reiner, murdered Minnesota democrats or Nancy's husband nearly murdered. Well, that is just fine, nothing wrong about that. 

Typical sanctimonious right wing MAGA hypocrites.

 

15 minutes ago, RayC said:

'Faux outrage' - bit foreign isn't it?

 

The word faux is very foreign Raymond. French to be precise.

 

What a great country that used to be before the globalists in the EU flooded it with illegals and destroyed the culture/fabric of the place. You might say it was Magnifique. 

 

Sad. 

29 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

There were certainly a lot of the same hypocrites lamenting that Crooks missed, and are now claiming some kind of moral high ground.

 

I imagine you see things differently after you've taken one in the ear as a result of being compared to Hitler and called out as a threat to democracy.

Yeah, I remember when his VP compared him to Hitler. And soon there will be a majority of Republicans who’ve grown a spine that call him out as a threat to democracy and anything that’s decent. 

18 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Here's my perspective. If only that bullet had been a wee bit more to the left.

 

Cue the "faux outrage"...

 

At least you're honest.

 

Sick man and his sick cultists.

11 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

The word faux is very foreign Raymond. French to be precise.

 

What a great country that used to be before the globalists in the EU flooded it with illegals and destroyed the culture/fabric of the place. You might say it was Magnifique. 

 

Sad. 

 

Quod erat demonstrandum.

 

Merci, Jeannot.

3 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Before the barrage of faux outrage begins, please can the many Trump haters here consider how their reaction will be when Trump passes. 

 

It is very sad Reiner met this fate. But Trump does have a valid point. Reiner ruined his life by going down the anti Trump hatred rabbithole (Trump phrased it better) which was very unfortunate as he should have been enjoying his silver years.

what is it about Trump fans? the vast majority of you supported the idea of demonizing and firing people from work, for expressing their hatred of Charlie Kirk. But now that the shoe is on the other foot, you abandon your beliefs - as in 'its ok for the Presiden of the USA to express hatred at just about everybody who disagrees with him. and i mean 'everybody'  Seriously, it's like the plot line for the tv series - Severence. the minute you enter into a politcal discussion, your brain enters another reality. 

50 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Or maybe the result of being shot in the ear by someone who was incited by people like Reiner whose unhinged rants incited them?

I don't think Trump's comments were well advised.  But then, I didn't get shot in the ear.

 

I guess getting shot in the ear changes your perspective.

Did trump really get shot? lol.

I am so glad I live in Thailand…

 

Under Trump America has become a $hithole country… 

20 minutes ago, BKKKevin said:

I am so glad I live in Thailand…

 

Under Trump America has become a $hithole country… 

 

How would you know, if you live in Thailand?

 

Wait.  Let me guess.  You actually believe the lying lefty MSM....

 

16 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

How would you know, if you live in Thailand?

 

Wait.  Let me guess.  You actually believe the lying lefty MSM....

 

Not MSM… A simple moral compass…

5 hours ago, Bacon1 said:

Experts and commentators caution that such rhetoric could deepen national divisions

He is a main cause of the division and lives by it.

5 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Before the barrage of faux outrage begins, please can the many Trump haters here consider how their reaction will be when Trump passes. 

 

It is very sad Reiner met this fate. But Trump does have a valid point. Reiner ruined his life by going down the anti Trump hatred rabbithole (Trump phrased it better) which was very unfortunate as he should have been enjoying his silver years.

 

Very well said, Reiner made some very good films, but after his Trump hatred set in, his film work went downhill badly. Spinal Tap 2? Come on.

In trump's mind, everything revolves around him. So also this happened because of him.

2 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Or maybe the result of being shot in the ear by someone who was incited by people like Reiner whose unhinged rants incited them?

I don't think Trump's comments were well advised.  But then, I didn't get shot in the ear.

 

I guess getting shot in the ear changes your perspective.

I doubt the rightwinger who took a shot at Trump was influenced by anything Reiner had to say.

3 minutes ago, stevenl said:

In trump's mind, everything revolves around him. So also this happened because of him.

 

He just didn't like Reiner, because of the things Reiner, and his family, said about him. Very normal. Who would like people who insult you?

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Looking forward to lots of faux outrage from the same group of nasty bitter lefties that mocked Kirk's death and will certainly mock Trump's death when it happens. 

Who here mocked Kirk’s death?

2 hours ago, impulse said:

 

There were certainly a lot of the same hypocrites lamenting that Crooks missed, and are now claiming some kind of moral high ground.

 

I imagine you see things differently after you've taken one in the ear as a result of being compared to Hitler and called out as a threat to democracy.

Impulse invites Hitler to the discussion.

1 hour ago, bubblegum said:

Sick man and his sick cultists.

Both foreign and domestic.

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Who here mocked Kirk’s death?

 

You're kidding, right?  Mostly, it was the same posters that lamented Crooks' poor marksmanship.

 

 

43 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

He just didn't like Reiner, because of the things Reiner, and his family, said about him. Very normal. Who would like people who insult you?

 

Reiner wasn't evil. He wasn't a despot. I'd imagine that there are other people who didn't like Reiner but the normal, decent ones among this grouping have the sensitivity and common decency to hold their counsel for the sake of Reiner's family and friends at this difficult time. That course of action was obviously beyond the capabilities of the current POTUS.