Donald Trump appeared to suggest that the fatal stabbing of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, was due to “Trump Derangement Syndrome”.
In a post on Truth Social, the US President said that the “once very talented movie director and comedy star,” had died “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease” called TDS - or Trump Derangement Syndrome.
TDS is said to refer to a feeling of disdain for the president, which Trump supporters in the US have used to describe negative reactions to the president that are characterized as irrational and disconnected from Trump's actual policy positions
In his post the president went on: “He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession with President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness”
This is not the first time that the president has taken aim at a public figure after their death – withTrump also mocking the late John McCain and General Colin Powell after their deaths.
Reiner, a 78-year-old celebrated director and actor, was outspoken in his support of liberal causes and the Democratic Party.
He even went as far as minimising concerns about Joe Biden’s age, saying “Look, he's old!” in an interview in February 2024 before Biden dropped out.
The movie legend was a prominent critic of Trump, labelling him “mentally unfit” and branding him an autocrat in multiple interviews.
He told Variety in 2017, “Donald Trump is the single most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency of the United States”.
Reiner is known for celebrated movie classics including Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, Few Good Men, and When Harry Met Sally.
They reportedly had their throats slit after an argument became fatal, and were found dead at their LA home on Sunday.
Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene criticised the president’s statement, saying: “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 families deal with a family member with drug addiction and mental health issues. It’s incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy, especially when it ends in murder.”
Right-wing commentator Robbie Starbuck also wrote: “I don’t care what their politics were or how they felt about Trump, no law abiding human deserves this.
“We should pray for + send condolences to his loved ones and NOT make it political.”
Michele Reiner was the photographer behind Trump's portrait for his bestselling book “The Art of the Deal.”
The couple lived just across the street from their daughter, Romy, who reportedly found the horrifying scene when she visited.
Former Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris paid tribute to the couple on X: “Rob Reiner's work has impacted generations of Americans. The characters, dialogue, and visuals he brought to life in film and television are woven throughout our culture. Rob loved our country, cared deeply about the future of our nation, and fought for America's democracy.
“Rob and his wife, Michele, loved each other very much. They were dear friends, and Doug and I are devastated to learn of their passing. Our thoughts are with their loved ones during this tragic time.”
