Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie calls Trump's Rob Reiner comments "inappropriate and disrespectful"

The Kentucky Congressman- who represents Kentucky's 4th Congressional District- responded on X Monday afternoon.

"I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity.

Are you new here? Sign up for the free weekly newsletter or subscribe to support our mission and access behind-the-scenes content, podcasts, and in-depth stories reserved for paid subscribers.

Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie is pushing back against President Donald Trump over comments the president made about the murders of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner.

The couple was found dead Sunday at their home in Los Angeles. Police say they believe the victims suffered stab wounds. Their son, 32-year-old Nick Reiner, has been arrested and is being held without bail in connection with their deaths.

On Monday morning, Trump posted on Truth Social, suggesting the deaths were linked to what he called Rob Reiner's "TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME."

"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," Trump wrote.

The president went on to say Reiner "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."

Police have not released any motive in the case.

"Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered," Massie wrote. "I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they're afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it."

When asked by reporters later if he stood by his post, Trump doubled down.

"He was a deranged person," Trump said. "I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all. I thought he was very bad for our country."

Massie wasn't the only Republican to criticize the president's comments. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who has also fallen out with Trump in recent months, wrote that the Reiners' deaths are "a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies."

Rep. Mike Lawler of New York called Trump's statement "wrong," saying no one should be subjected to violence "let alone at the hands of their own son."

"It's a horrible tragedy that should engender sympathy and compassion from everyone in our country, period," Lawler wrote.

Rep. Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma said, "We should be lifting the family up in prayer, not making this about politics."

Reiner was a longtime Democratic activist and fundraiser who had been openly critical of Trump, once calling him "mentally unfit" to be president. He's best known for directing films including "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally," "Stand by Me," "Misery," and "A Few Good Men."

His son Nick had struggled with drug addiction for years and co-wrote the 2015 film "Being Charlie," which was inspired by his own experiences with addiction, homelessness, and rehab stays.

Massie has been at odds with Trump on various issues this year, including leading efforts to release federal investigation files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump has endorsed a primary challenger against Massie in the 4th Congressional District.

Like what you see? Learn more about Shay Informed here! This is honest journalism with compassion and clarity.