Topline
President Donald Trump has been slammed by critics Monday after he implied beloved actor and director Rob Reiner was killed over a “crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME,” claiming in a bizarre Truth Social he drove others crazy by his “raging obsession” with the president.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Dec. 6, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Getty Images
Key Facts
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, his wife, were found in their home Sunday night and police have reportedly arrested their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, as part of a homicide investigation, though no further details about how they died have been confirmed.
Trump on Monday claimed without evidence the deaths were “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,” a disparaging term often used by Trump’s supporters to suggest his opponents are mentally ill.
Trump went on to say Rob Reiner had “driven people CRAZY” with his obsession with Trump and claimed, again without evidence, that he was suffering from paranoia related to the administration.
Rob Reiner, a longtime Democratic donor and advocate, has spoken against Trump since his first term, saying he thought Trump was “mentally unfit” to be president in 2017 and in October Reiner warned that Trump’s influence in the media could turn the U.S. into a “full-on autocracy.”
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here: joinsubtext.com/forbes.
Chief Critics
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., slammed Trump’s comments in a post on X: “Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered. 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.” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., also criticized the post, adding, “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.” Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., said “Trump’s statement is sick and dangerous… This rhetoric divides the country, paints targets on private citizens and risks inciting political violence. A president should lower the temperature, not inflame it.” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn, called the Trump post “sick” and Rep. Zoe Logren, D-Calif., said “Trump making light of him and his wife’s murders is a new low for this petty, hateful man. His party needs to condemn this.”