When the word came The senseless death of Rob ReinerAmerica plunged into familiar rituals of mourning and remembrance. A waterfall of tribute poured from the twin worlds – Hollywood and politics — where the actor, director and liberal activist lived.
Despite the shock and fog, before all but the most sketchy details were known, President Trump also spoke outdriven by his diarrhea desire to think about almost every event that happensas if he had been chosen not to rule, but to serve America's Chief Commentator.
Trump's response, quite shaking at Reiner's grave as he mistakenly attributed his death to an act of political revenge that managed to plunge into new depths of callousness and cruelty; More than a decade after his dramatic emergence as a political force, the president still manages to surprise.
But as vile and tasteless as Trump's statement of self-pity was (Reiner, he claimed, was a victim of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and essentially got what he deserved), it also pointed to the strange truism of his vindictive Oval Office residence.
In recent decades, the country has had a president who lied and deceived to hide their personal vices. Another who plunged the country into a costly and unnecessary war. The third, whose waywardness and vanity led he should stay longerhurting his party and America.
Yet each acted as if he were the president of all the people, not just those who voted him into office, contributed generously to his campaign, or blindly applauded his every move, no matter how reckless or ill-considered.
As Trump has made clear repeatedly, he sees the world in black and white, red versus blue, us versus them.
There are states that he carried that deserve federal funding. Voters whose support entitles them to food assistance and other benefits. The sycophants, endowed Presidential medals and commendations.
And then there are his critics and political opponents – those whom he proudly and avowedly hate – whose suffering and even death he openly relishes.
When Charlie Kirk was killedTrump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. He flew to Arizona to lead the memorial service. Its vice president, J.D. Vance, suggested to the people should be fired for disrespect towards the late conservative provocateur.
It is noteworthy that when Gunman Kills Former Minnesota Democratic Speaker of the House of RepresentativesMelissa Hortman, Trump wasn't bothered by even a simple act of mercy. Asked if he called to express condolences to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a personal friend of Hortman, Trump replied: “Why waste time?”
This is not normal and even more humane.
This is not ordinary politics or someone rewarding allies and trying to disadvantage the political opposition, as all presidents have done. This is a leader of a country using the enormous powers of his office and the world's biggest and most resonant megaphone to exact retribution, destroy people's lives, inflict suffering – and revel in pain.
There were the usual condemnations of Trump's callous and contemptuous response to Reiner's stabbing death.
“I expected to hear something like that from a drunk guy in a bar, not from the President of the United States,” said Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, who resign rather than seek re-election in 2026. (Perhaps this is why he was so frank and spoke so enthusiastically.)
But this time the criticism didn't just come from the typical chorus of anti-Trumpers or unorthodox Republicans like Bacon and Marjorie Taylor Greene, an ardent MAGA supporter turned scoffer. Even some of the president's longest-standing and vocal supporters felt compelled to speak out.
“It's a terrible thing to talk about a man who was just killed by his troublesome son,” British TV presenter Piers Morgan posted on X. “Delete this, Mr. President.”
However, the reaction of the Republican Party leadership was more revealing.
“I have nothing more to say about this other than it is a tragedy and my sympathies and prayers go out to the Reiner family and their friends,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNN when asked about Trump's reaction. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson responded in the same inadequate manner.
Clearly, the “see no evil” impulse remains strong in the upper echelons of the Republican Party—at least until new election results reveal the price Republicans are paying as Trump continues to prioritize personal vendettas over voters' personal finances.
One consistent reason supporters say they support the president is Trump's perceived integrity. (Not to mention the numerous well-documented lies he told almost constantly.)
Honesty in this sense means saying things that a more moderate and cautious politician would never say, and strangely justifying the main leader of the country. Those who have an ounce of care and compassion, who would never tell a friend they're ugly or call a neighbor stupid – and who expect the same respect and decency in return – tend to ignore or explain away such casual cruelty when it comes from this president.
Those who insist that Trump can do no wrong, who defend his every dirty utterance, or who engage in “but how about minimizing his significance” relativism should not remain in his constant thrall.
When Trump crosses the line so flagrantly, when his malice is so extravagant and his malice so obvious—as it was when he mocked Reiner in death—then even the president's most ardent supporters must call him out.
Do this and reclaim some of your humanity.
