Former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump issued sharply different statements following the deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner, whose son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested and “booked for murder,” the Associated Press reported.
Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Reiner, 68, were found dead Sunday in their Los Angeles home. Rob Reiner was best known for directing films such as Stand by Me, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men and The Princess Bride. He was also a vocal liberal activist who frequently supported Democratic candidates and criticized Trump on social media and in public appearances.
Police said that Nick Reiner, 32, was taken into custody Monday. Los Angeles police said detectives determined that he was “responsible” for their deaths, according to a Monday afternoon press release.
Biden issued a brief statement expressing condolences and praising the Reiners’ lasting contributions, emphasizing that their work would endure for generations. Trump’s reaction drew criticism for its tone, as he linked Rob Reiner’s death to what he described as “Trump derangement syndrome,” before offering his condolences.
What To Know
Rob Reiner was a deeply involved and informed political actor whose activism spanned decades. He hosted fundraisers, campaigned in person, and was close to figures including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Howard Dean.
The Reiners were longtime donors and strategists in the Democratic Party. Reiner championed causes such as same-sex marriage, early childhood education and public health initiatives. He played a visible role in the fight to overturn California’s Proposition 8 and was once discussed as a potential candidate for governor.
Rob Reiner’s activism included a personal stake in 2024 politics. After Biden’s poor debate performance in June, Reiner publicly called for him to withdraw from the race. “If the Convicted Felon wins, we lose our Democracy. Joe Biden has effectively served US with honour, decency, and dignity. It’s time for Joe Biden to step down,” Reiner posted on X.
He later supported Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, though their relationship reportedly grew strained after Harris described his post-debate reaction in her memoir.
Tributes to the couple poured in across social media. Author Stephen King wrote: “Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me.” Former President Barack Obama praised Reiner’s career and character: “Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen.”
Biden Praises, Trump Blames
While Rob Reiner had withdrawn his support for Biden’s 2024 reelection bid, the former president responded to the director’s death with a calm and respectful message on X: “Jill and I send our deepest condolences to everyone whose lives were touched by Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s extraordinary contributions. We take solace in knowing their work will live on for generations to come.”
Trump’s response took a sharply different tone. In a post on Truth Social, he blamed Reiner’s outspoken opposition to the president for his death: “A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, 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, sometimes referred to as TDS.
“He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!”
What People Are Saying
California Governor Gavin Newsom, in a statement: “Rob was the big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love, with projects as wide-ranging as The Princess Bride to A Few Good Men. His boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations how to see goodness and righteousness in others — and encouraging us to dream bigger. That empathy extended well beyond his films.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, in a statement: “This is a devastating loss for our city and our country. Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a statement: “The news of a deadly assault on Rob and Michele Reiner in their home is devastating. It’s hard to think of anyone more remarkable and excellent in every field and endeavor they pursued. Rob was creative, funny, and beloved. And in all of their endeavors, Michele was his indispensable partner, intellectual resource, and a loving wife.”
What Happens Next
The case against Nick Reiner is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday for filing consideration.
