The violent stabbing of Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, have taken an unexpected political turn after President Donald Trump addressed the tragedy in a Truth Social post that many saw as unnecessarily inflammatory.
The couple was found lifeless inside their Brentwood home on Sunday afternoon, victims of what police later confirmed was a brutal homicide.
Highlights
- Trump blamed Rob Reiner’s death on “Trump Derangement Syndrome” in a Truth Social post.
- Republicans and Democrats alike called the remarks inappropriate and disrespectful.
- Reiner’s son Nick has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbings.
As investigators worked through the early stages of the case and the family grieved, Trump published a message that reframed the tragedy through a partisan lens rather than offering condolences.
He said Reiner suffered from TDS.
“This is seriously distasteful,” a critic wrote, as screenshots of the post spread rapidly across social media.
What did Donald Trump say about Rob Reiner's passing?
Image credits: Getty/Dia Dipasupil
In his Truth Social post, President Trump claimed that Rob Reiner and his wife passed away “reportedly due to the anger he caused others” through what he described as an “incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”
Image credits: Getty/Win McNamee
Trump referred to Reiner as “tortured and struggling,” accused him of having a “raging obsession” with the president, and suggested that his outspoken criticism of Trump had driven others “CRAZY.”
Image credits: truthsocial/rebecca4USA
The post made no reference to the ongoing police investigation, despite authorities already confirming that the tragedy was being treated as a violent homicide involving stab wounds.
The phrase “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” often shortened to TDS, has been used by Trump and his supporters for years as a political insult to dismiss or ridicule critics.
Image credits: Getty/JB Lacroix
For many readers, even supporters, applying that rhetoric to a double homicide crossed a line. They believe the President utilized the tragedy as an opportunity to boast about his administration’s accomplishments.
The Truth Social post was criticized by figures from all sides of the political spectrum
Image credits: truthsocial/rebecca4USA
Image credits: Getty/Bill Pugliano
The response was swift, and not limited to Trump’s political opponents.
Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie publicly criticized the post, writing, “Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.”
Image credits: BUILD Series
Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also distanced herself from the remarks, stating, “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.”
Online reactions were even harsher.
“This isn’t politics. This is two people being slaughtered in their home,” one user wrote. Another added, “Blaming a murder on ‘TDS’ is unhinged.”
Trump’s comments also revived scrutiny of his past responses to violence involving political figures.
Image credits: Instagram/michelereiner
He previously mocked the 2022 hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, while later condemning the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as the result of political demonization.
Critics pointed out the contradiction.
“Someone really needs to take his phone away,” a user wrote.
Reiner’s son, Nick, was arrested in connection with the stabbings. A motive has not yet been established
Image credits: chiIIum
As the backlash unfolded, investigators continued piecing together what happened inside the Reiner home.
Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were found Sunday afternoon after first responders were dispatched around 3:30 pm for what was initially reported as a medical aid call.
Image credits: Instagram/michelereiner
Multiple outlets later confirmed that both victims had their throats slit, with additional stab wounds found across their bodies.
Their daughter, Romy Reiner, discovered the scene and immediately told police that another family member should be considered a suspect, describing the individual as “dangerous.”
Image credits: Instagram/potus
As Bored Panda recently reported, that individual turned out to be their own son, Nick Reiner.
The 32-year-old was brought in for questioning and has since been arrested. According to Page Six, he is being held at Parker Center Jail in Downtown Los Angeles on $4 million bail. Police have not publicly confirmed a motive.
"Distasteful." Even Trump's most ardent supporters were put off by the post
Image credits: krassenstein
Image credits: dennisc230
Image credits: MajigwaS6
Image credits: EliStrawmaning
Image credits: DarthJoestar
Image credits: KatrinKemmler1
Image credits: leftcoastbabe
Image credits: PaulStetson13
Image credits: TashaMahal
Image credits: Jimi_Stella
Image credits: Leisha_17
Image credits: Backtheblue911
Image credits: JerryRecords