President Trump torpedoed MAGA influencers' calls for compassion after the killing of director Rob Reiner, mocking the longtime liberal activist as a victim of "Trump derangement syndrome."
Why it matters: Many MAGA influencers vowed after the assassination of Charlie Kirk that they would never celebrate or mock the untimely death of a political opponent.
- Trump abandoned that moral high ground the morning after Reiner and his wife were found dead in their Los Angeles home — drawing rare criticism from his Republican allies.
What they're saying: "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," Trump posted on Truth Social Monday.
- "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."
Driving the news: When news initially emerged of Reiner's death Sunday night, many MAGA voices expressed sympathy and drew direct comparisons to Kirk's assassination.
- "You won't see people on the right celebrating the horrific murder of Rob Reiner and his wife. Compare to the Left's reaction to Charlie Kirk's murder," MAGA podcaster Jack Posobiec posted Sunday night.
- Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet tweeted a clip of Reiner responding "with grace and compassion" to Kirk's assassination: "This video makes it all the more painful to hear of he and his wife's tragic end. May God be close to the broken hearted in this terrible story."
After Trump's incendiary post, several Republicans criticized the president for politicizing the apparent murder. Reiner's son Nick has been arrested in connection with the death of his parents.
- "Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically killed at the hands of their own son, who reportedly had drug addiction and other issues, and their remaining children are left in serious mourning and heartbreak. This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies," Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a Trump ally-turned-critic, wrote Monday.
- "A man and his wife were murdered last night. This is NOT the appropriate response. The Right uniformly condemned political and celebratory responses to Charlie Kirk's death. This is a horrible example from Trump (and surprising considering the two attempts on his own life) and should be condemned by everyone with any decency," added Trump's former lawyer Jenna Ellis.Catch up quick: Reiner — a successful comedian, actor and director — was an outspoken Trump critic who warned Trump was ushering in a "full-on autocracy."
- Pointing to Reiner's long record of anti-Trump activism, some MAGA influencers took no issue with the president's attacks.
- "It's pretty pathetic to be so fake and fussy because Trump was insufficiently cordial to a guy who targeted him for nonstop bile for the last decade. There's one set of rules," wrote columnist Kurt Schlichter.
The big picture: MAGA has sought to claim the moral high ground after Kirk's Sept. 10 assassination, warning of a right under siege by leftists who would either perpetrate or celebrate violence against conservatives.
- Thousands of social media users were reported for celebrating or mocking Kirk's killing, with many ultimately fired from their jobs.
- The Trump administration even revoked visas for non-U.S. citizens accused of celebrating Kirk's death.
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