President Donald Trump has doubled down on controversial remarks he made about the late filmmaker Rob Reiner, insisting that the director was “very bad for our country” in comments delivered from the Oval Office, even as criticism mounted from lawmakers, entertainers, and mental health advocates across the political spectrum.
Reiner, best known for directing films including The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, and Stand By Me, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were found dead at their Los Angeles home on Sunday, December 14. Police later arrested their son, Nick Reiner, who has been charged in connection with their deaths. The investigation remains ongoing.
Hours after the tragedy became public, Trump sparked widespread outrage with a post on his Truth Social platform, where he suggested the deaths were connected to what he described as “Trump derangement syndrome,” a phrase he has frequently used to criticize political opponents. In the post, Trump referred to Reiner as “tortured and struggling” and claimed his outspoken opposition to Trump had driven others “crazy.” The post concluded with a brief expression of condolence.
The remarks were quickly condemned as insensitive, particularly given the circumstances of the deaths and the early stage of the investigation.
On Monday, Trump reiterated his stance while speaking to reporters, CNN reported. “I wasn’t a fan of his at all,” Trump said. “He 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.”
The comments prompted an unusual wave of criticism from members of Trump’s own party. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie wrote on X that regardless of political disagreements, the president’s remarks were “inappropriate and disrespectful” given that Reiner had been “brutally murdered.” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also urged restraint, calling the situation “a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.”
Outgoing Rep. Don Bacon described Trump’s comments as “classless,” adding that the situation was “not something to joke about.” Senator John Kennedy similarly advised silence, saying a wise response in moments like this would be to say nothing, warning that such remarks distract from the president’s broader agenda.
Senator Ted Cruz, who has previously praised Reiner’s films, declined to directly criticize Trump but emphasized that mental health and addiction issues affect families across the country.
The remarks also drew strong reactions from late-night television hosts. On Jimmy Kimmel Live, Jimmy Kimmel said Trump’s comments made him feel “sick to my stomach” and described them as “hateful and vile.” Kimmel said he initially believed Trump’s Truth Social post was fake because it seemed so extreme, calling Reiner “one of our greatest directors and patriots.”
“What we need in a time like this,” Kimmel said, “is compassion and leadership. We did not get that from our president.”
Seth Meyers echoed that sentiment on Late Night, calling Trump’s response “even worse” than he had anticipated and lamenting the absence of moral leadership during a moment of national grief.
As tributes to Reiner’s creative legacy continue to pour in from Hollywood and beyond, the focus for many has shifted from politics to the broader issues raised by the tragedy, including mental health, violence, and the impact of public rhetoric during moments of loss.
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