President Trump blamed the late Rob Reiner's death Monday on the director's political views, saying he died from a "mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME."
Why it matters: The president and MAGA allies condemned anyone who celebrated conservative activist Charlie Kirk's death earlier this year, slamming them for encouraging political violence against ideological opponents.
What he said: In a Monday morning post on Truth Social, Trump cast Reiner" as "a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star."
- Reiner, Trump said, "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."
- "He 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 ... perhaps like never before."
- "May Rob and Michele rest in peace!"
Catch up quick: Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found dead this weekend, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed in a Sunday evening post on X.
- The LAPD is investigating the deaths at Reiner's home as a homicide and has the couple's son, Nick Reiner, in custody, according to police documents.
- Rob Reiner directed American classics such as "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally" and "Stand by Me."
Zoom in: "This is a devastating loss for our city and our country," Bass said.
- "Rob Reiner's contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice."
- "An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others."
Between the lines: Reiner was a persistent Trump critic, once calling him "mentally unfit" and "the single most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency of the United States."
- He also faulted the mainstream media for not holding the president "accountable," asserting that "major outlets" serve as "propaganda for an American president."
The intrigue: Trump's post came hours after conservative figures began to compare reactions to the Reiners' deaths to Kirk's murder in September, originally insisting that the right wouldn't cheer someone's homicide.
- "You won't see people on the right celebrating the horrific murder of Rob Reiner and his wife," Turning Point USA activist Jack Posobiec posted on X Sunday evening.
- "Compare to the Left's reaction to Charlie Kirk's murder."
Zoom out: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Trump ally who's been increasingly breaking with the president in the past few months, condemned the president's reaction on X on Monday.
- "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."
- Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) also slammed the president in a X post on Monday, saying that "regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered. I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they're afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it."
- The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on Massie's statement.
Go deeper: Republicans embrace speech limits after Charlie Kirk assassination
Editor's note: This story was updated throughout.
