Rob Reiner, who was a vocal critic of Donald Trump, has died at the age of 78 in an apparent double homicide.
Donald Trump has commented on the passing of renowned Hollywood director Rob Reiner.
The former US president took to social media to label the late filmmaker as “tortured and struggling” following the discovery of him and his wife Michele deceased at their Los Angeles residence on Sunday. Numerous celebrities and public figures have since paid homage to Reiner, who was 78.
Reiner was a prolific actor and director, responsible for some of the most iconic films of the 80s and 90s, including the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally in 1989 and legal thriller A Few Good Men in 1992.
Upon hearing of Reiner’s death, Trump posted on Truth Social that Reiner, a known critic of the president, suffered from “a mind crippling disease known as Trump derangement syndrome” and had “driven people crazy by his raging obsession” with the politician.
Trump stated: “A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has 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, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!”, reports the Mirror.
Trump’s statement followed the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirming that detectives are investigating an “apparent homicide” after two bodies were discovered at the actor’s residence. Amongst those paying their respects to Reiner was acclaimed author Stephen King, whose novels formed the basis for Reiner’s 1986 film Stand By Me and 1990’s Misery.
Writing on X, the 78 year old King expressed that he was “horrified and saddened” by the deaths of Reiner and his wife. “Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker (including 2 of mine). Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me,” he wrote.
Kathy Bates, who portrayed nurse Annie in the psychological horror thriller Misery, shared with NBC News: “I’m horrified hearing this terrible news. Absolutely devastated. I loved Rob.”
Reiner also maintained a close friendship with legendary musician Sir Elton John, who appeared in the follow-up to his 1984 mockumentary about Spinal Tap, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which was released in September this year. In a message shared on his Instagram story, Sir Elton, aged 78, expressed: “I am in disbelief at today’s news of Rob and Michele. They were two of the most beautiful people I’d ever met and they deserved better. My thoughts are with them and their loved ones.”
Former US president Obama, aged 64, penned on X that he and his wife Michelle were “heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele.”
He further stated: “Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people – and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.”
