What did Rob Reiner say when Donald trump was shot
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Executive summary
President Donald Trump publicly blamed Rob Reiner’s outspoken criticism of him for the director’s killing, using terms like “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and calling Reiner “deranged” and “very bad for our country” in a Truth Social post and Oval Office remarks — comments that drew bipartisan criticism while police investigated the deaths as homicides and Reiner’s son was in custody [1] [2] [3].
1. What Trump actually said: blunt political attacks amid a homicide investigation
Within hours of Rob Reiner and his wife being found dead, Trump posted that the killing was “reportedly due to the anger (Rob Reiner) caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME,” later telling reporters he “was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all” and calling Reiner a “deranged person,” saying Reiner had “driven people CRAZY” and was “very bad for our country” [4] [1] [5].
2. How the comments were delivered and repeated
The remarks originated in a Truth Social post and were reiterated in the Oval Office when Trump answered reporters’ questions; multiple outlets recorded both the social-media post and the on-camera repetition, showing he both framed the deaths as linked to political animus and doubled down when challenged [2] [3] [6].
3. Immediate public and political reaction: criticism across the spectrum
Trump’s framing drew swift condemnation from celebrities, lawmakers and some fellow Republicans who said it was inappropriate to politicize a brutal killing while police were still investigating; outlets report that figures as diverse as Whoopi Goldberg and Rep. Thomas Massie publicly rebuked the president’s comments [7] [3] [8].
4. What officials had confirmed at the time: homicide probe and an arrest
Law enforcement told reporters the deaths were being investigated as homicides; police said the Reiners were found dead at home and that their 32‑year‑old son, Nick Reiner, had been arrested and was in custody on suspicion of murder, but authorities had released little information on motive when Trump made his statements [9] [10] [11].
5. Claims of causation vs. available facts: the gap reporters flagged
News organizations uniformly described Trump’s suggestion that the deaths were caused by Reiner’s political criticism as unsubstantiated at the time; AP and other outlets explicitly called the claim “unsubstantiated,” noting investigators had not tied the killing to political anger when the president advanced that narrative [1] [12].
6. Media framing and downstream effects: speed over confirmation
Analysts noted Trump’s post exemplified a broader pattern in which high-profile figures post interpretations before facts are public, amplifying speculation; PBS and others placed his comments in that context, showing how rapid public commentary can shape perception while investigations proceed [4] [6].
7. Competing narratives and partisan response
Some conservative commentators and MAGA-aligned influencers defended or justified Trump’s criticisms of Reiner as fair comment about a longtime critic, while many in both parties and numerous celebrities called the timing and tone “disgusting” or “inappropriate,” demonstrating the polarized reactions reported across outlets [5] [8] [12].
8. Limitations of the record presented in reporting
Available sources document Trump’s exact language, the law-enforcement status (homicide investigation, an arrest) and the public backlash, but they do not provide a confirmed motive tying the killing to Reiner’s politics; investigators’ findings on motive are not detailed in the cited reporting [9] [1]. Available sources do not mention any forensic or prosecutorial conclusion linking the deaths to political speech.
9. Why this matters: rhetoric, responsibility and public perception
Journalists and many public figures framed the episode as significant because a sitting president publicly suggested a causal link between dissent and violence without evidence while the criminal probe was active; sources note that such rhetoric can inflame public debate, draw bipartisan rebukes, and shape how the public perceives both the victim and the investigation even before facts are established [12] [7] [6].
Bottom line: Trump said the Reiners’ killing was “reportedly due to the anger” Rob Reiner caused, invoked “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” and called Reiner “deranged” and “very bad for our country,” remarks widely reported and widely criticized while police pursued a homicide investigation and the alleged suspect — the couple’s son — was in custody [4] [2] [9].