Donald Trump's response to Rob Reiner's death sparks MAGA backlash

President Donald Trump’s response to the deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner has been condemned by social media users across the political spectrum, including some Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporters on Truth Social.

Reiner, an acclaimed actor and film director, and his wife Michele were found stabbed to death at their home in Los Angeles on Sunday, in what police said they were investigating as an apparent homicide. Shortly before it was announced that their son Nick Reiner was in police custody on Monday morning, Trump issued a statement on Truth Social expressing his condolences, but repeatedly suggested Reiner was to blame for his own death.

The president described Reiner as once talented but “tortured and struggling,” and attributed the couple’s death to Reiner’s alleged “incurable affliction” with “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The president’s post claims Reiner’s obsession with him drove people “crazy” and frames his paranoia as escalating during Trump’s presidency. Trump’s social media message ends with “May Rob and Michele rest in peace.”

Many Truth Social and X users were left aghast. “I love you but this is seriously distasteful,” wrote one supporter on Truth Social.

“I’m struggling to believe this is real or that the greatest President the US will ever have actually wrote these words, much less tapped send,” one X user commented.

Why It Matters

Trump’s unfiltered rhetoric has historically been one of his great strengths, helping him to appeal to the MAGA base who appreciated someone perceived to be brutally honest with friends and foes alike. But politicizing Reiner’s death appears to have crossed a line and risks alienating even loyal fans at a time when the president is dropping in the polls ahead of crucial midterm elections next year.

What To Know

“A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood,” Trump wrote in a Monday morning post on Truth Social, his preferred method for communicating directly with the American public.

“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,” the president continued.

Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) is a term popularized by Trump supporters to describe what they perceive as irrational or obsessive hostility toward the president. It is often used in political discourse to dismiss criticism of Trump as emotionally driven rather than fact-based. While not a medical condition, the phrase has become a partisan shorthand, appearing frequently in conservative media and social platforms to characterize opponents’ reactions to Trump’s policies and personality.

Reiner, a Democrat, was one of Hollywood’s most outspoken critics of Trump throughout his first and second term. He frequently used interviews and social media to denounce Trump’s policies and rhetoric, framing him as a threat to democracy and the rule of law. Reiner often accused the president of fostering division and undermining American institutions, positioning himself as a vocal advocate for progressive causes and accountability in government.

Trump’s Monday post about Reiner concluded: “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!”

Unsurprisingly, Trump’s statement was slammed by liberal commentators, Democrats and film fans on X.

“This is one of the most psychotic things Trump has ever posted,” wrote independent journalist Aaron Rupar.

Long-time Trump critic George Conway called the president “a very and truly sick man who should be in a mental or penal institution and certainly not the White House.”

“Trump’s commitment to finding a new low on a daily basis is almost impressive,” wrote film journalist Amon Warmann.

And Republican critics of Trump also denounced the statement.

“This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies,” Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia wrote. “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.”

Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky condemned Trump’s “inappropriate and disrespectful discourse” in an X post.

The Republican president’s words were also criticized on Truth Social, usually a hub of Trump adulation.

“Let’s take this down, they have passed,” wrote one user, who also added the praying hands emoji.

“Disgusting post. Do better,” wrote another, with other replies accused the president of being “tacky” and “not classy.”

Still, there was some who endorsed Trump’s message. “The guy definitely was pushing out hate,” wrote user Scott Brown, a self-described Christian real estate broker. “It likely influenced his son tremendously.”

“You are telling it how it is Sir, that’s what we love you for!” wrote another user on Truth Social.

Others were torn. “While all of this post was true, it could have been better to leave the TDS part out on the first post on the topic. No value in dunking here,” one Truth Social user wrote. “I used to love Rob Reiner- and couldn’t listen to the guy after TDS set in. He was nuts as so many are in Hollywierd, still, such a sad ending for he and his wife.”

The post had over 7,000 replies and 16,000 likes at time of writing and contrasted heavily with other responses to the Reiners’ deaths.

What People Are Saying

Former President Barack Obama wrote in a post on X: “Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen.”

Former President Bill Clinton wrote in a post on X: “Hillary and I are heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our friends Rob and Michele Reiner. They inspired and uplifted millions through their work in film and television. And they were good, generous people who made everyone who knew them better through their active citizenship in defense of inclusive democracy, setting an example for us all to follow.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote in a post on X: “This is a devastating loss for our city and our country. 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.

“Personally, I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob and his wife Michele. I knew Rob and have tremendous respect for him. Among his numerous contributions, Rob helped create First 5 California, a landmark initiative funded by a tobacco tax to support early childhood development programs. He and Michele fought for early childhood development and marriage equality, working to overturn Proposition 8. They were true champions for LGBTQ+ rights. I want to thank all of the first responders who were called to this tragic event. The investigation is ongoing. I’m holding all who loved Rob and Michele in my heart.”