Rob Reiner, who was found dead alongside his wife, Michele Reiner, at their Los Angeles home in what police are investigating as a double homicide, was not only a celebrated filmmaker but also a longtime Democratic Party supporter and one of US President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics.
Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele, 70, were discovered dead at their home on Sunday. Their son, Nick Reiner, has since been arrested on homicide charges.
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During Trump’s first term, Reiner repeatedly described the president as “mentally unfit” and “unqualified” to serve in office.
Now, Trump has caused outrage by linking the couple’s death to their personal dislike of his presidency.
Trump’s comments
In a social media post on Monday, Trump referred to Reiner as “tortured and struggling” and said he and his wife had passed away, “reportedly due to the anger he caused” by opposing Trump as president.
“He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump,” the president wrote on Truth Social.
The president, who frequently lashes out at his opponents and praises public figures who support him, provided no evidence that Reiner’s political views contributed in any way to the couple’s death.
Trump’s post drew fierce criticism online from both Democratic and Republican politicians.
Congressman Mike Lawler of New York
The Republican said on X that Trump’s statement was “wrong”.
“Regardless of one’s political views, no one should be subjected to violence,” he said.
This statement is wrong.
Regardless of one’s political views, no one should be subjected to violence, let alone at the hands of their own son. It’s a horrible tragedy that should engender sympathy and compassion from everyone in our country, period. https://t.co/WjZ6kOoomR
— Mike Lawler (@lawler4ny) December 15, 2025
Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky
Representative Massie described Trump’s comments as “inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered”.
Massie is a Trump critic on the Republican side of the House of Representatives.
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. pic.twitter.com/j3dvzRxLQJ
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 15, 2025
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia
The Republican was once one of Trump’s fiercest allies in Congress. Now one of his strongest critics, she said, “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,” she wrote on X.
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… pic.twitter.com/uVd3lGVEgm
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 15, 2025
Congresswoman Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma
“A father and mother were murdered at the hands of their troubled son,” the Republican said on X.
“We should be lifting the family up in prayer, not making this about politics,” she added.
A father and mother were murdered at the hands of their troubled son. We should be lifting the family up in prayer, not making this about politics.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. https://t.co/blmamdoGX8
— Stephanie Bice (@stephaniebice) December 15, 2025
Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska
“I’d expect to hear something like this from a drunk guy at a bar, not the president of the United States,” the Republican, who retires from the House next year, told CNN.
David Axelrod, former chief strategist to President Barack Obama
Axelrod described Trump’s comments as “perverse”.
“The absence of empathy & grace for the Reiner family in their moment of profound loss and grief is sad and revealing. For @POTUS, his grievances trump their grief,” he said on X.
What this perverse post from @realDonaldTrump displays is what we see every day: “Trump Obsession Syndrome.”
The absence of empathy & grace for the Reiner family in their moment of profound loss and grief is sad and revealing.
For @POTUS, his grievances trump their grief. pic.twitter.com/OrybnAPJAI— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) December 15, 2025
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut
The Democrat said that Trump had “lost it”.
“Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they didn’t support him. So sick,” he wrote.
He’s just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they didn’t support him.
So sick. pic.twitter.com/Ru1JNuMexj
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 15, 2025
Journalist and TV presenter Piers Morgan
“This is a dreadful thing to say about a man who was just murdered,” Morgan wrote on X.
“Delete it, Mr President,” he added.
This is a dreadful thing to say about a man who just got murdered by his troubled son.
Delete it, Mr President @realDonaldTrump . pic.twitter.com/LP9cTIPNiQ— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 15, 2025
Senator Jasmine Crockett of Texas
“There is no limit to how low he is willing to go—and that speaks volumes about how dangerously unfit he is to lead,” the Republican said on X.
The sitting President of the United States looked at the death of Rob Reiner and decided it was an opportunity to “score” political points.
Let me be very clear: this was a horrific tragedy. Families are mourning. This is not a campaign rally.
There is no limit to how low he… pic.twitter.com/CYS1WEefKP
— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) December 15, 2025
Kamala Harris, former vice president
Harris took to X and paid tribute to the director.
“Rob Reiner’s work has impacted generations of Americans,” the Democrat wrote.
“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 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…
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 15, 2025
Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois
The Democrat criticised Trump’s post, calling it “one of the cruelest things I’ve ever heard a president say. He is well known for his cruelty, but this is a new depth amid this terrible murder.”
This is one of the cruelest things I’ve ever heard a president say.
He is well known for his cruelty, but this is a new depth amid this terrible murder. https://t.co/Mv1XLx8o7S
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) December 15, 2025
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington
The Republican referred to Trump’s post as “vile and self-obsessed”.
“Every single Republican must condemn this,” she said.
What a vile and self-obsessed post. The American people deserve so much better.
Every single Republican must condemn this remarkably cruel and unacceptable diatribe from Trump. pic.