Kathrine Frich
Rob Reiner was one of Hollywood’s most influential filmmakers, shaping American comedy and romance for decades through films that became cultural landmarks.
His death, alongside his wife Michele Singer Reiner, has prompted widespread mourning across the film industry and beyond.
But as tributes poured in, the reaction from US President Donald Trump took a sharply different turn, reigniting controversy just days after the couple were found dead.
Hollywood figure
Reiner, 78, was best known as the director of This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride.
Beyond his film career, he was also a prominent political commentator and a long-time critic of Trump.
Reiner and his 68-year-old wife were discovered dead in their Los Angeles home on December 14. Authorities said both had sustained fatal knife injuries.
Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has since been arrested in connection with their deaths, according to US media reports.
Initial backlash
Following news of the deaths, Trump drew widespread condemnation after suggesting Reiner had died due to what he called “Trump derangement syndrome”.
The comments prompted criticism even from within Trump’s political circle.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said the deaths were “not about politics or political enemies” and should be met with compassion.
Trump doubles down
Speaking later to reporters, Trump refused to soften his remarks and instead expanded on his criticism of the late director.
“I wasn’t a fan of his at all,” Trump said. “He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.”
Trump went on to claim that Reiner believed he was “a friend of Russia, controlled by Russia”.
“He was one of the people behind it [the Russia hoax],” Trump said. “I think he hurt himself career wise. [He] became 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,” he added.
Long-running feud
Reiner had repeatedly criticised Trump in interviews over the years. In a 2017 interview with Variety, he said Trump was “mentally unfit” to serve as president.
In 2021, Reiner also revealed plans for a television series examining the relationship between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“It’s all about Putin and Trump, and it takes them from their childhoods up to the point where they cross and what happens to democracy as a result of this convergence,” Reiner said at the time on The Dean Obeidallah Show.
Sources: Ladbible.
