Trump critical of Rob Reiner in wake of killing
Trump Seizes on Rob Reiner’s Death to Attack the Hollywood Director
All In The Family | Meet the Bunkers | Season 1 Episode 1 | FULL PILOT EPISODE
Reporting from Washington
President Trump seized on the stabbing death of Rob Reiner and his wife to make a baseless attack on the Hollywood director less than a day after reports of his killing, suggesting that Mr. Reiner’s criticism of Mr. Trump may have led to his murder.
The attack on Mr. Reiner, so soon after his death, prompted a rare backlash against the president from some MAGA-aligned Republicans, some of whom urged the president to retract his comments.
Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday that Mr. Reiner’s death was “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.”
Asked by reporters later in the day whether he stood by those comments, Mr. Trump was unapologetic: “Well, I wasn’t a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person.” He added, “I thought he was very bad for our country.”
The Reiners’ 32-year-old son has been booked on suspicion of murder, the police said. There was no indication from the authorities that the couple’s political beliefs had anything to do with their deaths. Mr. Reiner was found dead on Sunday alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, at their home in Los Angeles.
Mr. Trump’s attack brought immediate outrage, including from close allies who said the attack undercut Republicans’ calls for civility after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Prominent conservatives called for public shaming, firings and the threat of prosecution for those who spoke ill of Mr. Kirk.
“A man and his wife were murdered last night. This is NOT the appropriate response,” Jenna Ellis, Mr. Trump’s former lawyer who is now a conservative radio host, wrote on social media on Monday. “The Right uniformly condemned political and celebratory responses to Charlie Kirk’s death. 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.”
Over the years, Mr. Trump has shown little empathy over the deaths of perceived rivals. He criticized Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, after his death and suggested a deceased Democratic lawmaker, John D. Dingell of Michigan, was looking up from hell.
His attack on the Reiners came as many were still in shock over their violent deaths.
Sage Steele, the former ESPN host and Trump ally, responded online, calling the president’s post “so disappointing.” She added: “It’s comments like this that take away from the countless great things @realDonaldTrump does for America.”
Representative Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, wrote on social media that “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.”
Some other Republican lawmakers also condemned Mr. Trump’s post.
“This statement is wrong,” Representative Mike Lawler, Republican of New York, wrote on social media of Mr. Trump’s post. “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.”
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican of Georgia, said that this was no time to attack one’s political rivals. “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies,” she wrote on social media.
The Reiners’ son, Nick Reiner, was arrested on Sunday night and held in a jail in Los Angeles County on $4 million bail, according to county jail records.
Nick Reiner had spoken over the years about his struggles with drug abuse and bouts of homelessness beginning in his teenage years.
Mr. Trump “knows no shame,” Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, wrote in response to the president’s post.
Rob Reiner (1947-2025)
Making Clear What He Believed In: In films like “A Few Good Men,” Rob Reiner’s ideas of honor and morality were stated as plainly as could be.
Movies and Shows to Stream: Reiner played one of the most memorable sitcom roles of the ’70s before going on to direct a string of enduring movie classics. Here are his career highlights.
Archie Bunker’s Foil: Reiner’s “All in the Family” role didn’t just capture the political arguments of its time. It gave us a preview of our own.
Fighting for Democrats: The Hollywood star was an unusually hands-on activist and donor, whose deep understanding of politics set him apart from other celebrities.
Hollywood Pays Tribute: Stars of Reiner’s movies, as well as celebrities who simply admired his work, have posted heartfelt tributes to the director on social media.
Luke Broadwater covers the White House for The Times.
A version of this article appears in print on Dec. 16, 2025, Section A, Page 19 of the New York edition with the headline: President Attributes Killings To Politics, Without Evidence.
