Hello, readers.
Let’s go light today.
Trump has shared some opinions about Rob Reiner after the tragic loss of Reiner and his wife, allegedly at the hands of their son.
Some folks are reminiscing about the old Trump.
Let’s dive in.
Rob Reiner’s murder raises questions about Trump
Death has always been a tough subject for us. I think, perhaps, those with religious beliefs find a way to deal with it a bit better.
The media and so-called elites seem to struggle the most.
As many may know, Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were discovered dead over the weekend. Signs suggested foul play, as both had been killed in a violent manner.
Reiner’s daughter, Romy, found the bodies and immediately thought of her brother, Nick, who has faced issues with substance abuse and mental health. Recently, he and their father had a significant argument at a holiday gathering hosted by Conan O’Brien, which reportedly alarmed the guests.
Nick has since been arrested.
This is undoubtedly brutal and tragic, though not entirely surprising in the chaotic realm of Hollywood. People seem to lose themselves there.
I can’t say for certain what kind of father Rob was, but he appeared to care. He had partnered with Nick to create a film based on Nick’s life experiences. Reports suggested that Michelle was quite concerned about finding ways to help Nick.
Maybe we’re missing something here, but this situation doesn’t seem like a typical case of parricide that anyone can rationalize.
People were left stunned. It’s just awful.
Trump, on the other hand, didn’t hold back in expressing his thoughts about Reiner. It wasn’t his finest moment, though I shared with some friends that it felt a bit off. Trump’s usual humor was just absent here; it came off more as cruelty.
Here’s the link to his remarks. You can make your own judgment.
People on the right often take pride in showing empathy towards their opponents, especially during times of tragedy. It’s a defining aspect of our side, contrasting with what we see as the cruel left.
However, attacking Trump from the right for how he’s responding to Rob Reiner seems pointless. It holds as much weight as an empty gesture on social media. It just doesn’t convey any meaningful virtue.
I’ve noticed similar sentiments directed toward Tucker from a small online group. These are individuals who would likely not be in their current positions without Tucker’s help. Criticism like this rarely leads to something constructive.
I didn’t witness Trump being incredibly callous in this specific instance. Being rude isn’t a crime in many places; in fact, it often goes unnoticed.
This is the pattern with Trump. When misfortune hits his rivals, he goes all in. Reiner had spent years mocking Trump online, and Trump certainly doesn’t shy away from retaliation.
Criticizing him only makes you look overly sensitive, no matter how minimal the effort it takes to send a tweet today.
So what’s the alternative approach?
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If it weren’t for Rob Reiner, I sometimes wonder if I would have married my wife.
When we first began dating, quoting lines from The Princess Bride became a bonding experience for us.
“My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.”
You don’t come across moments like that too often nowadays. When was the last time you referenced a recent film and found that nearly everyone got it?
“I’m not leaving!” is the last quote I remember well. Interestingly, Rob Reiner had a significant role in that movie.
It feels like there’s been a vacuum of popular culture as America grapples with turmoil and financial strife. Social media seems to have diminished the shared cultural touchpoints.
It was a bit of a shaky period for us socially. She had just moved on from a relationship within her close-knit college group. There’s an age gap between us, me being nine years older, and our families were familiar with each other.
She had some concerns about gossip, particularly regarding her friends and family. Another twist was that I was just a struggling writer in Manhattan, while she was still in school nearby.
But I was determined.
During our time apart, I started writing her letters. One a day—some more traditional love notes, while others were about our imagined future together. I genuinely felt our prospects were bright. I even created a fantastical realm I could escape to, filled with lively, chatty creatures who often asked about her.
It worked, as we’re now parents to two children, with a third on the way.
Due to some social anxiety, I signed each letter with a pseudonym, trying not to reveal my identity too soon.
“I love you always,
Dread Pirate Roberts”
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Seeing Reiner react to Trump’s words was rather disheartening. It reminded me of friends who seemed to fade away after the events of November 8, 2016—lost forever.
He appeared genuinely affected, and given his fame, this played out publicly. Sadly, the media seemed eager to exploit his vulnerable moments.
It’s truly unfortunate.
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Interestingly, this isn’t really about Trump at all. That’s why Trump strikes back at Reiner; it’s not personal. In many ways, it’s a calculated media strategy, whether we like it or not.
I was pleased to see James Woods, a prominent figure on the right, commend Reiner during a recent appearance on Fox News. He spent a good six minutes reflecting on how Reiner helped his career and how their friendship endured despite differing viewpoints.
He didn’t even mention Trump.
