As a growing number of Republican politicians and leaders condemn President Donald Trump’s recent comments about the killing of director and Democratic activist Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, allegedly by their son Nick, some prominent Massachusetts Republicans are joining in on the backlash.
Trump described Reiner as “tortured and struggling, but once very talented” and suggested that Reiner’s “TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME” was responsible for his death due to the “anger [it] caused others” in a Truth Social post Monday. He also said Reiner’s “obvious paranoia reach[ed] 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.”
Nick Reiner has previously spoken about his struggles with addiction and homelessness, and there is no evidence that Trump’s explanation of the cause of Reiner’s death is correct.
Still, asked about his Truth Social post at a press conference Monday, Trump stood by his remarks, saying, “I wasn’t a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned. ... The Russia hoax, he was one of the people behind it. I think he hurt himself career wise ... I thought he was very bad for our country.”
Brian Shortsleeve, a venture capitalist and ex-Marine who ran the MBTA under former Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, emphatically condemned Trump’s comments in a statement to GBH News.
“His comments were wrong and deeply disappointing,” Shortsleeve said. “This was a terrible tragedy and the only appropriate reaction is to put politics aside and offer sympathy to the Reiner family.”
Mike Minogue, an Army veteran and former medical-device company CEO, also said in a statement that Trump erred with his reaction.
“Violence, grief, loss, and justice don’t know a political party,” Minogue said. “I wish these comments were not made. Renee and I pray for the Reiner family and their friends during this unimaginably difficult time.”
Mike Kennealy, a former private equity executive who served as Baker’s secretary of administration and finance, did not directly condemn Trump’s comments but implied they were misguided and expressed his condolences.
“The Reiners are victims of a horrific crime and our words as leaders should reflect that,” he said. “My prayers are with the Reiner family and their loved ones.”
Amy Carnevale, the head of the Mass. GOP, was more oblique in her statement, saying: “The alleged murder of Rob and Michele Reiner is nothing short of tragic. It is clear that more mental health resources are needed in this country.”
John Deaton, the Republican running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Ed Markey, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Several prominent Republicans outside of Massachusetts have also criticized Trump’s reaction to the Reiners’ death, including Rep. Thomas Massie of West Virginia, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, and Reps. Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma and Mike Lawler of New York.
