Rob Reiner’s response to Charlie Kirk’s assassination is gaining new attention in the wake of his own violent death, as Donald Trump’s reaction to the filmmaker’s killing sparks fierce backlash – even from the president’s own supporters.
On Dec. 14, Rob Reiner, 78, was found dead inside his Los Angeles home alongside his wife, 68-year-old Michele Reiner.
According to official findings from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the iconic filmmaker and his wife died as a result of multiple sharp force injuries, USA Today reports.
The couple’s 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, was taken into custody at the scene and later charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Offensive Truth Social post
As news of the double homicide spread, President Donald Trump posted a response to Truth Social that was immediately met with criticism for its tone and content.
Rather than offering condolences or acknowledging the gravity of the loss, Trump used the platform to characterize Reiner as “a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star.”
In the Dec. 15 post, Trump, 79, next suggested the couple’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, sometimes referred to as TDS.”
The reaction to Trump’s remarks was swift and severe – even by Trump’s usual allies who said his message was disrespectful and void of basic compassion.
Republicans slam comment
Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) distanced herself from the president’s remarks, calling them inappropriate, People reports.
“This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies,” MGT captioned a Facebook post that included a screenshot of Trump’s original message. “It’s incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy especially when it ends in murder.”
Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie – a Trump devotee – also criticized the president’s words.
“Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered,” Massie wrote on X alongside a screenshot of Trump’s post.
In addition, Republican Reps. Mike Lawler of New York and Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma – neither outspoken critics of Trump – also condemned Trump’s controversial message, marking a rare instance of dissent from within his own party.
Reiner shows compassion
As condemnation of Trump’s statement mounted, public attention turned back to a September 2025 episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored, where the Primetime Emmy Award winning actor addressed the murder of Charlie Kirk during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University.
The 60-year-old British broadcaster asked Reiner for his “immediate gut reaction” to the news that the conservative activist, 31, had been fatally shot Sept. 10.
Despite their opposing political views, Reiner addressed the death of the Turning Point USA co-founder and described the assassination as “an absolute horror.”
“It’s beyond belief what happened to him,” the Castle Rock Entertainment co-founder told Morgan at the time, lamenting that he had “unfortunately [seen] the video” that documented the shooting. “That should never happen to anybody. I don’t care what your political beliefs are. That’s not acceptable. That’s not a solution to solving problems.”
Users call Trump a ‘vile human being’
Reiner’s remarks were largely praised for their impartial tone and clarity, and now, in the context of his own death, they have gained new relevance.
On Dec. 15 – the day after Reiner’s death – Morgan re-shared the interview clip on X with the caption: “As President Trump trashes Rob Reiner following his murder, a reminder of how Reiner responded on my show to the murder of Charlie Kirk.”
The reposted clip quickly circulated across social media and was widely referenced in commentary highlighting the contrast between the two men’s approaches to violence.
“I voted for Trump three times…Can’t stand him anymore,” one user shared in the comment section of Morgan’s post.
“Have you really only just noticed that Trump is a vile human being?” asked another.
A third penned: “Class versus chaos. Reiner answered violence with dignity. Trump answered death with spite. Legacy keeps receipts.”
“Difference between a well rounded human being and a narcissist who can’t comprehend anything outside himself,” a fourth user added.
‘Delete it’
That same day, Morgan also posted a direct criticism of Trump’s Truth Social statement in a separate tweet, calling it “a dreadful thing to say about a man who just got murdered by his troubled son.”
“Delete it, Mr. President,” Morgan added.
What are your thoughts on how Reiner approached Kirk’s death compared to Trump’s rant about Reiner? Please let us know what you think and then share this story so we can get the conversation going!
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