Senator John Kennedy absolutely slammed President Trump this week after the president weighed in on the tragic deaths of acclaimed director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, as per The Hill. Kennedy joined a growing chorus of Republicans who are pushing back hard on the president for suggesting that Reiner’s death was somehow related to his long-standing political opposition to Trump.
The Louisiana Senator didn’t mince words about the president’s decision to comment politically on the situation. Kennedy stated that there’s a simple rule for handling sensitive situations. “A wise man once said nothing. Why? Because he’s a wise man,” Kennedy explained. “I think President Trump should have said nothing.” Honestly, that’s a top-tier piece of advice right there, especially when dealing with a tragedy this profound.
The whole controversy kicked off after President Trump posted a comment on Truth Social suggesting that Reiner’s political opposition to him was somehow related to the tragedy. Reiner was well known as a prolific Democratic donor and a fierce advocate for progressive causes.
Trump’s rant on Reiner seems more deranged as the details about his death have emerged
Trump wrote that Reiner, a “tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star,” 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, sometimes referred to as TDS.” The president continued by claiming Reiner was known to have driven people “CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump.”
The reality of the situation is incredibly dark, and the details make the political commentary seem particularly inappropriate. The Reiners were found stabbed to death at their Los Angeles home over the weekend. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell confirmed that their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been “booked for murder” and is currently being held without bail.
The president’s post immediately drew sharp criticism from Republicans across the political spectrum, including members who represent swing districts and those who have previously been critical of the president.
Representatives Mike Lawler of New York and Don Bacon of Nebraska spoke out quickly against the post. Both men represent districts that voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, making their criticism especially notable. Lawler stated flatly that Trump’s “statement is wrong.” He added that regardless of political views, no one should face violence, especially at the hands of their own child.
Even Republicans who are often aligned with the president condemned the statement. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who has been at odds with the president in recent weeks, responded that this is a “family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.”
Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky called the president’s comments “inappropriate and disrespectful.” Massie believes that most of his GOP colleagues will ignore the statement entirely because, as he put it, “they’re afraid.” He didn’t stop there, though, adding, “I challenge anyone to defend it.” That is a serious challenge, and it shows just how much discomfort this specific post caused within the Republican ranks.
Published: Dec 16, 2025 01:00 pm