President Donald Trump sparked a political firestorm after publicly suggesting-without evidence-that filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner was killed because of his opposition to Trump, prompting rare and public criticism from Republican lawmakers, conservative activists, and media figures who urged restraint following the killings.
Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home Sunday afternoon with apparent stab wounds, according to a person close to the family. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested in connection with the deaths, according to two law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the investigation. Authorities have not publicly identified a motive.
Despite that, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Reiner was killed "due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known and sometimes referred to as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS." Trump prefaced the post by calling the killings "a very sad thing."
No publicly available information from law enforcement supports Trump's claim. The White House did not respond to questions about what information, if any, the president had regarding motive.
Reiner, a prominent Democratic donor and outspoken Trump critic, had given more than $150,000 to Democratic presidential candidates' victory funds during the 2024 election cycle. He was also a well-known cultural figure whose career intersected with Trump's early years; Michele Singer Reiner photographed Trump for the cover of his 1987 book The Art of the Deal.
Republican officials moved quickly to condemn Trump's framing. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., wrote on X: "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."
Two other Republicans-Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky-also criticized Trump. Massie wrote: "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."
Trump's remarks contrasted sharply with Reiner's own public stance on political violence. After the September assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Reiner told Piers Morgan, "I don't care what your political beliefs are: That's not acceptable," expressing his "absolute horror" at the shooting. Andrew Kolvet, a spokesman for Turning Point USA, later praised Reiner for responding "with grace and compassion to Charlie's assassination."
Morgan himself called on Trump to remove the post, writing on X, "This is a dreadful thing to say," and referencing Nick Reiner's arrest.
Conservative activists also distanced themselves from the president's rhetoric. Filmmaker Robby Starbuck wrote, "What happened last night to Rob Reiner and his wife was a savage butchering of 2 human lives." He added, "We should pray for + send condolences to his loved ones and NOT make it political." Raheem Kassam, editor of The National Pulse, wrote simply, "Don't love this, to be honest."
Jenna Ellis, a former Trump campaign lawyer, said she was "grateful to see other Trump supporters and prominent conservative voices likewise encourage the president to reconsider and delete this comment." She called the post "NOT the appropriate response" and added, "This is a horrible example from Trump (and surprising considering the two attempts on his own life) and should be condemned by everyone with any decency."
Some Trump allies defended the president. Alex Bruesewitz, a close Trump associate, wrote earlier, "RIP, Rob Reiner," and later said, "I don't think it undermines us." He added, "I don't blame the president for having the reaction that he had." Conservative commentator Jack Posobiec framed Trump's message as cautionary, writing, "He isn't celebrating, he is warning."
