Former US President Donald Trump has provoked widespread condemnation after posting inflammatory comments about the murder of acclaimed film director Rob Reiner, blaming the tragedy on what he termed "Trump Derangement Syndrome".
Controversial Social Media Post Sparks Fury
On the morning of Monday 15 December 2025, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to address the shocking deaths of Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer. The couple were discovered stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home over the weekend. Their adult son is currently in police custody, though formal charges are yet to be announced.
In his post, Trump described Reiner as "tortured and struggling," and claimed the director and his wife had passed away "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." The former president further asserted that Reiner was known for having "driven people crazy by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump."
Immediate Backlash and Calls for Deletion
The post was met with swift and severe criticism from public figures and commentators. Prominent broadcaster Piers Morgan was among the first to respond, directly addressing Trump on social media. "This is a dreadful thing to say about a man who just got murdered ... Delete it, Mr President," Morgan wrote.
The backlash centres on the perceived insensitivity of politicising a violent personal tragedy while police investigations are ongoing and the victims' families are grieving. Critics argue the post deflects from the factual details of a homicide case and exploits it for political point-scoring.
Ongoing Police Investigation in Los Angeles
While Trump's comments dominate headlines, the Los Angeles Police Department continues its investigation into the double homicide. Authorities have confirmed the grim discovery of the two bodies and the detention of a suspect, but have emphasised that the case remains active. No official motive has been disclosed by law enforcement, making external speculation, particularly of a political nature, highly contentious.
The incident and the subsequent political firestorm highlight the deeply polarised nature of American discourse, where even personal tragedies are not immune from being drawn into the political fray. The pressure on Trump to retract his statement continues to mount as more voices join the call for respect and restraint.
