Hollywood actor Patrick Schwarzenegger has publicly condemned former US President Donald Trump for what he called a 'disgusting and vile' statement mocking the murder of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer. The couple, aged 78 and 70 respectively, were found stabbed to death at their $13.5 million mansion in Brentwood on Sunday.
Outrage Over Trump's Social Media Post
The controversy erupted on Monday when Trump took to his Truth Social platform to comment on the filmmaker's death. In a post that sparked immediate fury, he wrote that Reiner had passed away 'due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome.'
Schwarzenegger, 32, swiftly joined a chorus of other celebrities in denouncing the remarks. The White Lotus star reshared Trump's post on X with the blunt commentary: 'What a disgusting and vile statement.' His condemnation highlighted the deep divisions and raw emotions surrounding the tragic case.
A Heartbreaking Family Tragedy and Tribute
The Los Angeles Police Department has stated that the couple's 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, is 'responsible' for their deaths. He is currently being held without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility. According to reports, the couple's daughter, Romy Reiner, 28, discovered her parents' bodies and alerted the authorities.
Earlier on Monday, Patrick Schwarzenegger's mother, the renowned journalist Maria Shriver, 70, paid a moving tribute to her close friends. 'I loved Michele and Rob Reiner. They were among my closest friends,' Shriver wrote in an emotional social media post. She described raising children together, sharing laughter and dreams, and noted they had enjoyed a dinner together just the previous week.
Shriver praised the couple's unwavering spirit, writing: 'They never gave up on our country. They wanted to make it better... They loved their kids so much, and they never stopped trying to be really good parents.' Her son Patrick left a single red heart emoji in the comments, while others, including Bruce Willis's wife Emma Heming, offered condolences.
Son's Arrest and Past Struggles
Nick Reiner, one of the couple's three children, has previously spoken publicly about battles with substance abuse. In a 2018 podcast appearance, he described an incident where he destroyed a guest house while 'totally spun out on uppers' and having been awake for days.
A spokesperson for the Reiner family confirmed the deaths in a statement, saying: 'It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.' The shocking event has sent ripples of grief through their Brentwood community and the wider entertainment industry, where Rob Reiner was a beloved and influential figure.
