President Trump is facing criticism from both centrist and right-wing Republican members of Congress after posting on social media that director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were killed due to “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
The remarks mark a rare public break between Trump and some GOP lawmakers, several of whom have increasingly expressed willingness to call out the former president’s statements. In his post, Trump described Reiner, a longtime critic, as a “tortured and struggling, but once very talented” director who “was known to have driven people crazy by his raging obsession” with him. He added that the couple reportedly died as a result of anger caused by this alleged affliction. Authorities have arrested the Reiners’ son, Nick, in connection with their deaths.
Several Republican lawmakers spoke out against Trump’s comments. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a moderate from a swing district, called the remarks “not presidential” and emphasized that “most Americans want more and better from our President.” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said the post was “wrong” and stressed that “no one should be subjected to violence, let alone at the hands of their own son,” calling for sympathy and compassion. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) added that the focus should be on lifting the family up in prayer rather than politicizing the tragedy.
Other Republicans, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), also condemned the post. Greene called it “a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies,” while Massie described Trump’s remarks as “inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered,” challenging fellow GOP members and White House staff to defend them. The White House has not issued a response to the controversy.
