The entertainment and political worlds collided in late 2025 following the tragic deaths of acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer. In a stunning turn of events, President Donald Trump unleashed a series of controversial remarks about Reiner, sparking an unusual wave of bipartisan condemnation. This article delves into the specifics of Trump’s comments on Rob Reiner, the tragic circumstances, the remarkable pushback from within his own party, and Reiner’s often-underestimated political legacy.
Tragic Loss: The Deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer
On Sunday, December 14, Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele Singer, were found dead in their Southern California residence. Authorities quickly initiated a double homicide investigation. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office later confirmed the tragic details, sending shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond. Within hours, police took the couple’s 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, into custody. He was subsequently charged with murder and is being held without bail. This devastating family tragedy was at the heart of the national news cycle.
Crucially, official reports indicated no political motivation behind the murders. Despite this, the President’s subsequent public statements dramatically shifted the focus from the tragic nature of the deaths to a heated political controversy.
President Trump’s Outrageous Social Media Post
Less than 24 hours after the news broke, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, his preferred social media platform, to share his thoughts on Rob Reiner. On Monday, December 15, Trump posted a highly inflammatory message. He claimed Reiner’s death was “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through… a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”
The President continued, asserting that Reiner “was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump.” He even described Reiner, celebrated for his talent, as a “tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star.” This post, a direct attack on the recently deceased filmmaker, immediately drew swift and widespread criticism. Many viewed the remarks as insensitive and inappropriate, especially given the tragic circumstances of Reiner’s death.
Doubling Down: Trump’s White House Remarks Reinforce Criticism
Later the same day, facing a barrage of questions from reporters at the White House, President Trump did not back down. When asked about the growing GOP pushback on his social media post, Trump unequivocally stood by his words. He reiterated his disdain for Reiner, stating, “I wasn’t a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.” He went on to add that Reiner “became like a deranged person. Trump derangement syndrome. 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.”
These repeated, unyielding criticisms from the President inflamed an already tense situation. His insistence on attributing Reiner’s death to a political “syndrome” rather than acknowledging the private tragedy amplified the public outcry. The controversy around Trump Rob Reiner statements escalated rapidly.
Rare Republican Backlash Against President Trump
What followed was a truly remarkable development: a rare chorus of criticism from within Trump’s own Republican party. Several prominent GOP lawmakers publicly condemned the President’s statements, a highly unusual occurrence. This suggests the comments crossed a line that even staunch allies found unacceptable.
Key Republican figures who spoke out included:
New York Rep. Mike Lawler: A moderate Republican, Lawler publicly labeled Trump’s entire post “wrong.” He emphasized that “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.”
Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie: Massie described the President’s discourse as “inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.” He went further, directly challenging his “elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff” to defend Trump’s comments, implying fear might prevent them from speaking out.
Former Trump ally, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia: Greene also weighed in, calling the deaths a “tragedy” and emphasizing the “serious mourning and heartbreak” for their remaining children. She stressed, “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.”
Speaker Mike Johnson: While not directly criticizing Trump, Johnson offered prayers to the Reiner family. He described the murders as “not only an an unspeakable family tragedy” but also “a reminder of the senseless violence and evil that is so rampant in our society.” He also mentioned turning to scripture during this time.
This public condemnation from high-profile Republican figures underscored the exceptional nature of the controversy surrounding Trump Rob Reiner remarks.
Rob Reiner’s Enduring Legacy: Beyond Hollywood, A Political Powerhouse
While widely celebrated for his iconic roles and directing credits, Rob Reiner was also a formidable and impactful political activist. Known for his acting in “All in the Family” and directing classics like “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally…”, and “A Few Good Men,” Reiner channeled his passion into progressive causes. He was a lifelong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, access to education, and broader democratic principles. His political activism was consistent and deeply felt.
Reiner’s political influence extended far beyond simply writing checks or pontificating. He played a critical role in the 2020 US presidential election, particularly in the battleground state of Wisconsin. Ben Wikler, then chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, credited Reiner with orchestrating “the biggest state party fundraiser… in American history.” This groundbreaking event was a streamed dramatic reading of The Princess Bride script. It attracted 142,000 viewers and raised over $4.25 million for the state party in September 2020. This immense effort, alongside other grassroots initiatives, is widely believed to have “narrowly delivered the state and—with wins in other battlegrounds—the presidency to Biden.”
Reiner viewed Donald Trump as an “authoritarian” who sought to “destroy the constitution” and “turn America into an autocracy.” This conviction fueled his relentless activism. Even in 2025, according to reports, Reiner was envisioning major “get-out-the-vote” operations for the 2026 midterm elections, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to American democracy. His artistic genius was inextricably linked with his profound belief in political engagement and civic duty.
Mixed Impact on Trump’s Approval Ratings
Despite the widespread condemnation of Trump’s comments on Rob Reiner, the immediate impact on the President’s approval ratings presented a mixed picture. Polls conducted between December 15-16, 2025, showed varied results:
Rasmussen Reports: On December 16, Trump’s approval stood at 47%. This was actually noted as higher than his recent second-term low of 43% earlier in the month.
The Morning Consult poll: Ending December 15, this poll indicated a 46% approval rating. This represented a slight one-percentage-point decrease from his overall average approval rating this term, which was 47%.
RealClear Polling: Aggregating data from multiple pollsters, RealClear reported Trump’s overall favorability at 43.8% as of December 15. This was an increase from his recent second-term low of 42.3% in November.
RealClear Polling also provided a broader comparative analysis. While Trump’s presidential approval rating had declined from a high of 50.5% since taking office in January, his 43.8% approval was still higher than his first-term average of 42.8%. Furthermore, it was presented as higher than former President Joe Biden’s reported approval rating of 43.2%. It’s crucial to remember that poll numbers are dynamic and can fluctuate based on methodology and the segments of the population surveyed. The data suggests that while the backlash was fierce, it didn’t necessarily translate into a significant immediate dip in the President’s overall support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Donald Trump’s exact comments about Rob Reiner after his death?
After Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer were found dead in a double homicide on December 14, 2025, President Donald Trump made two public statements. On Truth Social, he attributed Reiner’s death to “TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME,” calling it a “mind crippling disease” that drove Reiner “CRAZY” with his obsession with Trump. Later, at the White House, he doubled down, stating he “wasn’t a fan of his at all,” and called Reiner “a deranged person” who was “very bad for our country.”
Why did some Republican lawmakers criticize President Trump’s remarks about Rob Reiner?
Several Republican lawmakers, including Reps. Mike Lawler, Thomas Massie, and Marjorie Taylor Greene, criticized President Trump’s comments due to their perceived insensitivity and inappropriateness. They emphasized that Reiner’s death was a tragic family matter, not a political one, and that sympathy and compassion were warranted regardless of political differences. This open criticism from within Trump’s own party was a rare occurrence, highlighting how widely his remarks were seen as crossing a line of decency following a brutal murder.
How did Rob Reiner contribute to politics beyond his entertainment career?
Rob Reiner was a dedicated progressive activist with significant political impact. Beyond his famous acting and directing career, he actively championed liberal causes, including LGBTQ+ rights and education. Notably, he organized a highly successful Princess Bride* script reading fundraiser in September 2020, which raised over $4.25 million for the Wisconsin Democratic Party and is credited with helping tip the state for Joe Biden. Reiner viewed Donald Trump as an “authoritarian” and remained committed to safeguarding American democracy, even planning for future midterm election activism.
Conclusion
The tragic deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer brought a wave of grief and shock. However, President Donald Trump’s inflammatory remarks following the incident ignited a national firestorm. His attribution of Reiner’s death to “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and subsequent reinforcement of these statements drew an unusual, and often fierce, bipartisan backlash. While the immediate impact on Trump’s approval ratings remained mixed, the episode underscored the deep divides within American society and the contentious nature of political discourse. Reiner’s legacy, often celebrated for his entertainment contributions, gained renewed focus for his profound and effective commitment to progressive activism and the integrity of American democracy. This unfortunate confluence of personal tragedy and heated political rhetoric left an indelible mark on the public consciousness.
