Trump doubles down on criticism of Rob Reiner, says he was a 'deranged person'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on Rob Reiner after the director and his wife were found murdered in their Brentwood, California, home on Sunday, December 14.

This comes after Trump said the renowned director suffered from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” on a Truth Social post, sparking widespread condemnation from figures across media and politics.

Trump escalates attacks on Rob Reiner

During a Q&A in the Oval Office on Monday afternoon, December 15, reporters asked Trump about the backlash over his post. He responded by attacking the slain director even more.

He shared, “Well, I wasn’t a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person, as far as Trump is concerned. He said — he knew it was false.”

“In fact, it’s the exact opposite — that I was a friend of Russia, controlled by Russia. You know, it was the Russia hoax," he added.

"He was one of the people behind it. I think he hurt himself, career-wise. He became like a deranged person. Trump Derangement Syndrome,” Trump doubled down. “So I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way, shape or form. I thought he was very bad for our country."

Trump's initial post following Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner's deaths

In his Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood.” He described Reiner as "a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star," noting that he had died 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," the POTUS claimed. 

He concluded, “[He] 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!”

Trump faces GOP backlash over remarks on Rob Reiner's death

Trump is facing widespread criticism online for his disrespectful post regarding the deaths of Rob and Michele.

Among the critics, several Republican lawmakers also rebuked Trump just hours after his post. Rep Thomas Massie said that Trump had crossed a line, stating, “Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.” 

He added, “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.”

Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had previously been a Trump ally but has recently turned critical, also expressed strong disapproval of Trump’s comments on the Hollywood couple’s deaths.

Greene said, “Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically killed at the hands of their own son, who reportedly had d**g addiction and other issues, and their remaining children are left in serious mourning and heartbreak.”

She emphasized a different perspective from Trump’s, stating, “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.” She added, “Many families deal with a family member with drug addiction and mental health issues.” Greene concluded, “It’s incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy especially when it ends in murder."