Rob and Michelle Reiner Murdered, Trump’s Comment’s Reach A New Low

In this Monday Fallout, I talk about a violent double murder that should have stopped this country in its tracks. Two people were killed in their own home, and no matter who they were or what they believed, this is the kind of moment where basic humanity should take over.

I focus on the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle Reiner, not as public names or voices of advocacy, but as a writer and director and his creative partner whose lives ended in brutality. 

I talk about who they were, why their work mattered, and why violence like this should never be turned into noise, entertainment, or ammunition.

As the investigation moves forward and facts continue to emerge, I look at how people across the country reacted, from celebrities to politicians to people who knew the Reiners personally. 

Some showed compassion. Some showed restraint. In moments like this, what people say matters more than they realize.

Then I get into Donald Trump’s response, and why I believe it crossed a moral line no leader should ever cross. What should have been a moment for empathy instead became something darker. 

I explain why Trump’s response matters and what it reveals about leadership and accountability in this country right now.

By the end of this episode, I lay out why this tragedy matters beyond one crime or one reaction. 

This is about decency, responsibility, and what happens when cruelty replaces humanity at the exact moment it’s needed most. That’s your Monday Fallout.

And, if you’d like to help support this podcast with a small donation before the holiday’s…

here is the link: 

https://ko-fi.com/aworldgonemad

AWorldGoneMadPodcast@gmail.com

Chapters

• 0:00 Monday Fallout And Ground Rules
• 0:29 Framing Three Tragedies
• 1:37 Rob And Michelle Reiner’s Legacy
• 6:12 The Violence And Its Consequences
• 9:35 The Investigation And Facts
• 12:38 Tributes From Across Public Life

Transcript

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I'm Jeff Fallon Wolf. This is The World Gone Mad. Another Monday fallout where the weekend's lives meet Monday's reality. Let's talk about what happened in the last 48 hours. No BS, no spin, no fake talking points. Here we go. I'd like to state something up front. This is very important, so all the listeners please pay attention. I'm not minimizing these tragic events that happened in the last 48 hours. Two extremely significant and devastating shooting incidents occurred on separate continents. A mass shooting at Brown University in the United States and a terrorist attack during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia. Those are extremely important to talk about. However, this episode I need to talk about the third tragic event that happened. And I'm talking about this for a reason. This will become clear by the end of this episode. So please indulge me. I got a slight cough. I'm pissed off. It's the holidays, and I'm sure nobody's going to be listening to this episode because you guys are busy. So if one or two of you listen, it would be great. If one of you responded, that would be even better because this is important. Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle Reiner, were murdered. Most of you probably already know this. Maybe a few don't. A husband and wife killed violently. There's no way to soften that. There's no way to dress it up. Two people are dead. A home became a crime scene. A family was shattered in the most brutal way possible. This is the kind of event that should stop a country in its tracks. Not because of celebrity, not because of politics, but because of the sheer human devastation of it. Rob Reiner was a household name long before anyone cared what he thought about politics. He was part of American culture for decades. Whether you liked him or not, he made his mark big time. He came into millions of homes as an actor on All in the Family. That show did not just entertain. It challenged, it pushed. It reflected the country back at itself at a time when television actually did that. As a filmmaker, Rob Ryder helped create movies that became cultural touchstones. This is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men. Some of these titles may surprise some of you. Those films were not political screeds. They were stories. They were characters. They were moments that people carried with them. Entire generations can quote them. Entire careers were launched because of these projects and movies. That kind of cultural impact does not disappear because someone later became outspoken. And Michelle Reiner mattered just as much. She was not a name people recognized from a movie poster, but she was a creative force in her own right. She was an accomplished photographer whose work focused on people and human stories. Her photography was about connection, about seeing people as people. She was deeply involved in humanitarian and philanthropic efforts, particularly causes involving children, global health, and social justice. Michelle lived a life grounded in empathy and purpose, not performative, not loud, real. Together, Rob and Michelle Reiner built a life over decades, a marriage, a partnership, a shared commitment to creativity and causes larger than themselves. And it ended in violence. That's the part that should hit hardest. Not the headlines, not the politics, the violence. This was not a car accident. This was not illness. This was not the quiet passing of someone of old age. This was murder. The kind of ending that leaves permanent damage behind to families, to everyone who knew them, to anyone capable of imagining that level of loss. This is the moment where society is supposed to pause, where the noise drops, where arguments stop, where basic humanity takes over. Because no matter who you voted for, no matter what side of the aisle you're on, no matter how much you agreed or disagreed with Rob Reiner and his wife's views, two people were killed. A husband and a wife. That's the tragedy. That's the gravity. That's the line that should never be crossed. Now, as the investigation continues, police have charged Rob and Michelle's son Nick with their murders. Nick Reiner is being held as the legal process moves forward. The bail that's set at 4 million is now revoked. That's where the facts stand. This is an active investigation. Details are still emerging. These are questions that have not yet been answered. What is clear is this two people are dead. A family has been shattered, and the legal system is now in motion. At the same time, tributes have continued to pour in about people's feelings for Rob and Michelle Reiner. People from across the entertainment world, from film and television, from behind the camera, and politicians, all walks of life, people in front of it, people behind it, they've spoken about Rob and Michelle Reiner's impact. I'm going to tell you about some of them if you haven't read all of them. Listen up. From Governor Gavin Newsom, Jennifer and I are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer-Reiner. Former President Barack Obama, Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michelle. Rob's achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. Beneath all of these stories was a deep belief in the goodness of people and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote: This is a devastating loss for our city and our country. Stephen King, noted writer, I'm horrified and saddened by the death of Rob Reiner and Michelle. Wonderful friend, political ally, brilliant filmmaker. Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me. Kathy Bates, actress. I'm horrified hearing this terrible news. Absolutely devastated. I loved Rob. He was brilliant and kind. He changed the course of my life. Ron Howard, child actor, brilliant director. Our careers and lives intersected often, he says. He was a superlative filmmaker, a supportive colleague, and a dedicated citizen. Rob will be missed on so many levels. Josh Gadd, he was one of the greatest directors of our time. He was a friend. Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle, were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine. Jamie Lee Curtis and her husband, Christopher Guest. Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michelle Singer Reiner. And our only focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families, and we will offer all support possible to help them. And just a couple more. Will Wheaton, I am heartbroken. That's all I have to say right now. Maria Shriver, they were deeply devoted parents and kind, patriotic individuals who were committed to making the world a better place. The Norman Lear family statement. Norman often referred to Rob as a son. Rob and Michelle spent every breath trying to make this country a better place. Joe and Jill Biden. Jill and I send our deepest condolences to everyone whose lives were touched by Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner's extraordinary contributions. We will take solace in knowing their work will live on for generations to come. And Elijah Wood, horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle. So much love to their kids and family. Bill and Hillary Clinton. Hillary and I are heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our friends Rob and Michelle Reiner. They inspired and uplifted millions through their work of film and television. And they were good, generous people who made everyone who knew them better through their active citizenship in defense of inclusive democracy. And finally, one more for a reason. James Wood, Republican. Rob and I remained good friends ever since we made Ghosts of Mississippi. The studio didn't think I was old enough to do the part, but Rob fought for me. Political differences never stood in the way of our love and respect for each other. I'm devastated by this terrible event. The point that I'm making to my listeners here, Wolfpack listeners, is that even Republicans like James Wood showed class and decency in the wake of the tragic murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle. And myself, me, Jeff, when Charlie Kirk was assassinated, I did a special episode about that. Hopefully some of you listeners made the time to listen to it. And I said I didn't agree with anything that Charlie Kirk said. I thought he was disgusting. I thought he was opposite of everything this country was about, and opposite of what this country needed. Yet, I stated in that episode that assassination was not the answer. And I tried to show some respect and class towards the murder of Charlie Kirk. And with all that in mind, Wolfpack listeners, please listen to the following contrast. People from every corner of the country, artists, politicians, friends, even longtime critics on the other side of the aisle, they understood something basic. The Reiners were murdered. This was a family tragedy. This was a moment that demanded restraint. And then there was Donald Trump, the self-styled man of class, the face of this country, the man who never misses an opportunity to tell us how presidential he is. And I'm being fucking sarcastic here. Trump chose this moment to post an incendiary political message about the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife. And I'm reading it even though it disgusts me, you need to hear it. Trump writes 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, Michelle, 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, the president wrote on Truth Social. He was known to have driven people crazy by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump. Donald added, Reiner was completely deranged. Are you kidding me? I'm angry about what Trump posted. I'm furious at the sheer lack of class from Donald, at the smallness of Donald, at the insecurity from Donald Trump. How dare you, Donald, take a tragedy like this and use it to spit out garbage like that? How dare you look at a murdered husband and wife and turn it into a cheap insult? This is not leadership. This is not toughness. This is not strength. This is an angry, small minded man who does not give a damn about anyone but himself. There's something deeply wrong with Donald Trump who hears about a brutal killing and responds with hatred, venom, and poison. The anger pouring out of Donald Trump's mouth is grotesque. It's reckless and it's dangerous. This is the president of the United States posting this garbage. And I'm fucking pissed off. Even some Republicans agreed with me. Republican Congressman Thomas Massey wrote on X, regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who is just brutally murdered. He's referring to Trump. I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the Vice President Vance and White House staff, will just ignore it because they're afraid. I challenge anyone to defend it. Massey doesn't pull punches. A Republican. Marjorie Taylor Green also criticized Trump's comments, saying, This is a family tragedy and it should not be politicized or used for political attacks. Hey, at least there's some outrage, but where the hell is everyone else's outrage? Two Republicans spoke up. Two. Where are the major name senators? Where are the party leaders? Where are the men and women in Congress who never shut up about decency, values, and respect for life? They interviewed some of these people today and they avoided about Donald Trump's comments. They said, we wish the family well, but they wouldn't commit to saying what Donald posted was wrong. Typical bullshit from these spineless Republicans. Two people were murdered, and the president of the United States mocked it, politicized it, and turned it into a punchline. And most of Washington's Republicans just went silent. Not because they don't know is disgusting, not because they didn't hear it or see it or read it, but because they're afraid. Afraid of Trump, afraid of his base, afraid of saying out loud what any normal human being knows instinctively, that this crossed a moral line no leader should ever cross. Silence is not neutrality. Silence is permission. Rob Reiner and Michelle Reiner were murdered. And we've got Donald the Dick spitting garbage out like this. Donald Trump, who is very close to short circuiting himself with these asinine comments, just keeps sounding worse and worse. I'm embarrassed for our country. I'm embarrassed that Donald Trump is the president. I'm embarrassed and feel for any individual or country who were abused, used, or insulted by Donald the delusional one. We deserve better as a nation. We deserve clear thinking and compassion from our leader as a nation. And Donald Trump is the worst example of what we can put up to represent America. Donald Trump's 15 minutes of fame has lasted longer than it should have. I hope and pray, whether it's through bad health, legality, or some other means, that Donald Trump will finally no longer be in the spotlight and have any power. Our country is bleeding to death, and we're this close to permanent blackout and complete destruction of our democracy, all because of a boy named Donald. Rest in peace, Rob and Michelle Reiner. You certainly deserved better than this. And our country definitely deserves better than Donald Trump's response to this tragedy. And that's your Monday fallout. You know how to reach me. I've given you my email address, my toll-free number multiple times. It's up to you to use them if you'd like to comment about anything I've talked about in this episode, or just to give your opinion. Or if you'd like to say hello, that would be nice. And if you'd like to contribute with a small donation to my podcast before the holidays, I have a link below each description of every episode. And I've said multiple times, this is purely optional. But every little donation truly helps. This is a World Gone Mad. I'm Jeff Allen Wolf. I'll be back Wednesday. Until then, Wolfpack listeners, remain skeptical, keep focused, but most of all, stay hopeful.

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There is chaos in the world. Can't you see? And we need to stand up and preserve our democracy. This is a world con. This is a world con