When Harry Met Sally.
The Princess Bride.
This is Spinal Tap.
A Few Good Men.
Misery.
American classics. No matter where you are on the political spectrum, when news broke that Director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were brutally slain this week, you were shocked — we were all shocked.
Rob Reiner’s movies have entertained, enthralled, and delighted generations of film lovers, Republican and Democrat alike.
To hear he and his wife were killed in such a gruesome way — stabbed by their son, who struggled with drug addiction and mental illness for years — shocked the nation.
Yet even in this moment of national mourning, where no one was thinking of politics, Donald Trump took to social media to proclaim the following:
“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. 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. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!”
To make such a moment about himself shocked not only Trump’s political opponents, but has even disgusted many of his usual allies.
Multiple prominent Republicans and conservatives have come out to condemn Trump’s remarks.
As a former member of MAGA myself, I often talk about how moments like these build up until a breaking point is reached.
For anyone out there who’s been frustrated with Trump in recent months, his vile behavior in the wake of this tragedy could be their final straw.
When moments like these happen, it’s important that Leaving MAGA is ready with resources to help offer people a pathway out.
With more resources, we can cast a wider net and make our community known to a larger audience.
I know there are many people out there mourning their favorite director, who are appalled that Trump could treat a fellow human being with so much contempt and disrespect.
Democrat, Republican — doesn’t matter. You only need to be a decent human being to know that Trump’s comments were entirely out of line.
This is a moment for a gut check, a moment for MAGA members to reassess, and hopefully, a moment for them to part ways with Trump, once and for all.
Whenever they’re ready to do so, we’ll be there.
And to Rob and Michele Reiner, thank you for being such stalwart defenders of democracy. May you rest in peace.
Thanks for being with us in this odyssey,
Rich
You can read my story in our free eBook, and if you’re looking to talk to someone in your life who’s still stuck, check out our free Friends & Family Guide.
