The news of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele’s tragic deaths sent a shockwave through Hollywood, a brutal end for a celebrated filmmaker and his partner. But the aftermath quickly spiraled into something far more disturbing when, just days after the bodies were discovered, a scathing attack appeared on former President Trump’s social media feed.
Trump didn’t offer condolences. Instead, he blamed Reiner himself, attributing the couple’s deaths to “TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME,” a phrase dripping with venom and devoid of empathy. The post, delivered with chilling swiftness after the news broke, ignited immediate outrage and disbelief.
The comments didn’t stop there. Speaking to reporters, Trump doubled down, referring to himself in the third person and dismissing Reiner as a “deranged person.” It was a display of callousness that transcended political disagreement, venturing into territory many found deeply unsettling.
Joe Rogan, a figure known for his nuanced perspectives, found himself compelled to address the situation on his podcast. “The Rob Reiner thing is not funny,” he stated plainly to comedian Shane Gillis. “When you see it with no empathy, that’s when it’s hard to like.”
Gillis, while acknowledging Trump’s unwillingness to apologize, drew a stark comparison: “It’d be like if Obama tweeted, ‘Rest in piss.’” The analogy highlighted the sheer breach of societal norms represented by Trump’s response, a level of disrespect reserved for bitter enemies, not grieving families.
Rogan expanded on this, arguing there was “no justification” for the remarks within a compassionate society. He connected it to the disturbing phenomenon of celebrating the misfortune of others, referencing even instances of violence. “It’s the same kind of thing,” he asserted, drawing a chilling parallel.
The conversation turned to the need for restraint, for someone to intervene and filter the president’s unfiltered thoughts. “Someone take away his phone,” Rogan urged, emphasizing the chaotic nature of Trump’s thinking. “The guy got sliced up by his kid, you know? Anybody that doesn’t see that and go, ‘F—, man.’”
Rogan acknowledged Reiner’s vocal opposition to Trump, noting the filmmaker’s active campaign to remove him from office. He recalled a particularly striking video featuring Reiner alongside former intelligence officials, plotting a course to oust the president. However, this history didn’t diminish the horror of Trump’s reaction to the tragedy.
Gillis powerfully articulated the core of the tragedy: “You get murdered next to your wife by your son. That’s like the worst thing possible.” The horrific circumstances surrounding the deaths amplified the outrage, making Trump’s words even more jarring and insensitive.
Rogan expressed a profound disappointment in the willingness of some to find joy in another’s suffering. “It’s so disappointing,” he lamented. “Someone would have to be the worst person ever… And the way it happened too?” It was a lament for a lost sense of basic human decency.
The criticism wasn’t confined to the podcast world. Celebrities across the spectrum voiced their condemnation. Rocker Jack White unleashed a furious tirade, while actor Josh Gad declared Reiner “1000 times the man” Trump was. Even James Woods, a known Trump supporter who had worked with Reiner, expressed his disgust.
The collective outcry underscored a shared sense of shock and revulsion. It wasn’t simply about political disagreement; it was about the fundamental expectation of respect, even in the face of animosity, particularly in the wake of unimaginable loss.
