Trump’s cruel response to Reiner shows us-versus-them presidency
When the news of Rob Reiner’s senseless death broke, America began its familiar rituals of mourning and commemoration. Tributes poured in like a waterfall from the twin worlds in which the actor, director and liberal activist lived: Hollywood and politics.
Amidst the shock and fog, with all but the smallest details unknown, President Trump weighed in with a diarrheal urge to ruminate on nearly every passing event, as if he had been chosen not to govern but to serve as America’s chief commentator.
Trump’s rather glowing response over Reiner’s grave, falsely attributing his death to an act of political revenge, managed to plumb new depths of heartlessness and cruelty; More than a decade after his sharp emergence as a political force, the president still manages to surprise.
But as vile and tasteless as Trump’s self-pitying statement was — he claimed that Reiner was a victim of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and actually got what he deserved — it also pointed to a unique reality of his vengeful residence in the Oval Office.
In recent years this nation has had a president who lies and deceives to cover up his personal flaws. Another one that plunges the country into a costly and unnecessary war. A third whose stubbornness and arrogance caused him to go beyond his time, damaging both his party and America.
Yet each of them acted as if he were president of the entire people, not just those who voted for him, contributed generously to his campaign, or blindly applauded his every move, no matter how reckless or ill-conceived.
As Trump has made clear repeatedly, he sees the world as black-white, red-blue, us-them.
There are states that deserve the federal funding he carries. Voters whose support provides them with food aid and other assistance. The sycophants were awarded medals and presidential commendations.
And then there are his critics and political opponents, whose suffering and even deaths he openly enjoys—proudly and openly hates.
When Charlie Kirk was killed, Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. He flew to Arizona to lead the memorial service. Vice President J.D. Vance suggested that people who disrespect the late conservative provocateur should be fired.
In notable contrast, when a gunman killed Minnesota’s Democratic House speaker Melissa Hortman, Trump couldn’t be bothered with even a simple act of kindness. Asked if he had called Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a personal friend of Horman, to offer his condolences, Trump said, “Why waste time?”
This is not normal, much less humane.
This is not politics as usual, or someone who rewards allies and tries to disadvantage political opposition, as all presidents do. This is the country’s chief executive, who uses the immense powers of his office and the world’s biggest, most resounding megaphone to exact revenge, destroy people’s lives, cause misery, and revel in pain.
There were the usual accusations about Trump’s callous and contemptuous response to Reiner’s stabbing death.
“I would expect to hear something like this from a drunk guy in a bar, not from the president of the United States,” said Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, who is retiring rather than seek re-election in 2026. (This may be why he is so sincere and speaks so refreshingly.)
But this time the criticism didn’t just come from the typical anti-Trump chorus or heterodox Republicans like Bacon and MAGA stalwart-turned-cynic Marjorie Taylor Greene. Even some of the president’s longest and loudest defenders felt compelled to speak out.
British broadcaster Piers Morgan shared on X: “This is a terrible thing to say about a man murdered by his troubled son.” “Delete it, Mr. President.”
But the response from the Republican Party leadership was more telling.
“I don’t have much to say other than this is a tragedy, and I extend my condolences and prayers to the Reiner family and their friends,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNN when asked about Trump’s response. House Speaker Mike Johnson responded with a similarly dismissive tone.
Clearly, the “see and hear” impulse remains strong in the upper echelons of the GOP — at least until more election reports show the price Republicans are paying as Trump puts personal vendettas ahead of voters’ personal finances.
One of the enduring reasons supporters say they support the president is Trump’s so-called honesty. (Leave aside the numerous documented lies he tells almost constantly.)
Honesty in this sense means saying things that a more moderate and careful politician would never say, and it is a strange thing to turn a blind eye to the country’s most prominent leader. Those who have even a modicum of compassion and compassion, who would never tell a friend they are ugly or call their neighbor stupid, and who expect the same respect and kindness in return, routinely ignore or explain away such casual cruelty from this president.
Those who insist that Trump can do no wrong, who defend his every evil statement, or who engage in relativism to minimize significance need not remain in his perpetual thrall.
When Trump crosses a line so blatantly, when his ill-intentions are so exaggerated and his malice so obvious (as when he mocked Reiner’s death), then even the president’s most ardent supporters must call him out.
Do this and take back a small piece of your humanity.
