In a breach of presidential norms that has unsettled even some of his staunchest allies, President Donald Trump has doubled down on his attacks against Hollywood director Rob Reiner, just days after Reiner and his wife were found murdered in their Los Angeles home.
When offered a chance by reporters to soften his rhetoric or offer condolences, the President instead referred to himself in the third person, labeling the deceased director a “deranged person” who was “very bad for our country.”
This episode marks a stark departure from the traditional role of the President as “Mourner-in-Chief.” It raises profound questions about the Head of State’s responsibility to foster national unity versus the political impulse to settle scores, even with the dead.
Discussion
President Trump tells it like it is, that's why we elected him! No more of this fake politically correct nonsense. Rob Reiner was a loud mouth who obsessed over Trump and wouldn't stop peddling lies about Russia.
Once again the media can't handle Trump telling it like it is.
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The Controversy
- The Event: Director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found murdered; their son, Nick Reiner, is in custody.
- The Reaction: President Trump posted on Truth Social attributing the deaths to Reiner’s “TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”
- The Double Down: When pressed by reporters, Trump refused to walk back the comments, stating, “I wasn’t a fan of his at all… he was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.”
- The GOP Pushback: Republicans, including Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have publicly criticized the President’s remarks as “inappropriate” and disrespectful.
- The Civic Issue: A test of the norms of the presidency, specifically the distinction between the President as a political combatant and the President as a symbolic leader of the entire nation.
‘As Far as Trump is Concerned’
The controversy began with a Truth Social post where the President suggested Reiner’s death was caused by the “anger he caused others” through his obsession with Trump. But the situation escalated on Monday when the President spoke directly to reporters.
Refusing to pivot to a standard message of condolence, Trump reiterated his grievance. He focused entirely on Reiner’s past political criticism, specifically Reiner’s accusations regarding the Russia investigation.
“He knew it was false… but he said that I was a friend of Russia… he was one of the people behind it. I think he hurt himself career-wise, he became like a deranged person, Trump derangement syndrome.” – President Donald Trump
Notably, the President referred to himself in the third person—”he was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned”—a rhetorical device often used to emphasize one’s own brand or historical weight.
The Crime and the Accusation
The President’s comments stand in jarring contrast to the grim reality of the crime. Los Angeles police are investigating the deaths as an apparent double homicide. Authorities have arrested Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner, holding him on $4 million bail.
Despite the domestic nature of the tragedy, President Trump’s initial statement attempted to link the violence to Reiner’s political views. He described Reiner as suffering from an “incurable affliction” of “TDS,” or Trump Derangement Syndrome—a pejorative term used by supporters to dismiss critics.
“Rob Reiner… has passed away… 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.” – President Donald Trump, Truth Social
A Fracture in the GOP
The President’s refusal to observe the traditional “ceasefire” upon a rival’s death has triggered a rare public rebuke from his own party.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a libertarian-leaning Republican who often aligns with the President on policy, called the comments indefensible.
“Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered… I challenge anyone to defend it.” – Rep. Thomas Massie
Even Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), historically one of the President’s fiercest defenders, sought to separate politics from the event, calling it “a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.”
The Erosion of the ‘Head of State’
This incident highlights a deteriorating distinction in the American executive branch.
The Constitution vests two roles in the President: Head of Government (the political leader who fights for policy) and Head of State (the symbolic leader who represents the nation’s grief and dignity). Historically, Presidents have suspended political attacks when a prominent American dies, regardless of their ideology, as a way to fulfill the Head of State function.
By utilizing the murder of a critic to score political points and re-litigate the “Russia hoax,” President Trump is signaling that the role of Head of State is secondary to his role as a political combatant. It reinforces a polarizing standard where political opponents are viewed as “enemies” unworthy of sympathy, even in death.
It's disheartening to see the current state of our political discourse. While I support Trump's policies, this lack of empathy isn't what I remember from the Republican leaders I admired. We need more respect and dignity in such delicate situations, regardless of political differences.