Topline

President Donald Trump on Monday afternoon brushed off backlash to comments he made earlier in the day disparaging actor and director Rob Reiner after his killing, instead doubling down on saying Reiner had “Trump derangement syndrome.”

U.S. President Donald Trump on Dec. 6, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty ImagesKey Facts

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, his wife, were found in their home Sunday night and police have said their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, was responsible for their deaths.

Police have not confirmed how the Reiners died but several news outlets have cited unnamed law enforcement sources in reporting they were stabbed to death.

Trump, referring to Rob Reiner, claimed without evidence in a Truth Social post Monday morning the deaths were “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,” a disparaging term often used by Trump’s supporters to suggest his opponents are mentally ill.

Trump went on to say Rob Reiner had “driven people CRAZY” with his obsession with Trump and claimed, again without evidence, that he was suffering from paranoia related to the administration.

Trump reemphasized his dislike for Reiner when asked about the backlash to his remarks, telling reporters at the White House on Monday afternoon: “I wasn’t a fan of his at all.”

Rob Reiner, a longtime Democratic donor and advocate, has spoken against Trump since his first term, saying he thought Trump was “mentally unfit” to be president in 2017 and in October Reiner warned that Trump’s influence in the media could turn the U.S. into a “full-on autocracy.”

Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here: joinsubtext.com/forbes.

Crucial Quote

“I think he hurt himself career-wise. He became like a deranged person,” Trump told reporters. “So I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way, shape or form. I thought he was very bad for our country.”

Read More