Maria Shriver, 70 years old, delivered a forceful rebuke of Donald Trump on Dec. 15 after the president made controversial remarks about the deaths of director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner, who were found dead in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home.
In an Instagram video, Shriver, the niece of John F. Kennedy, expressed her disgust with Trump’s response to recent tragedies, including the deaths of the Reiners, a shooting at Brown University, and a shooting at Bondi Beach, Australia. “It makes me sick to my stomach,” Shriver said of the 79-year-old president’s behavior.
Rob Reiner, 78 years old, and Michele Reiner, 70 years old, were allegedly stabbed by their son Nick Reiner, who was arrested for his parents’ murder. The 32-year-old, according to reports, had attended a Christmas party hosted by Conan O’Brien on Saturday night, where an argument erupted over rehab. Nick later checked into the Pierside Santa Monica hotel in Santa Monica, California.
Trump claimed in a social media post that Reiner died from what he called “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” drawing widespread condemnation. Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump called Reiner “deranged,” doubling down on his original statement.
Shriver responded with an urgent appeal to those around the president. She urged Trump’s staff to put him in a timeout and explain the responsibilities of his office. Shriver declared in the video that we have had enough.
Shriver emphasized that the president should use moments of national tragedy to unite Americans rather than divide them. She criticized Trump for using violent incidents to speak about himself in a divisive way instead of bringing people together.
Shriver’s relationship with the Reiner family ran deep. The tragedy has been particularly devastating for Shriver, who considered Rob and Michele among her closest friends.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have shocked the community. Nick Reiner allegedly stabbed his parents in their $13.5 million mansion in Brentwood. The incident occurred after the family attended the O’Brien party together.
Even some Republicans and conservative commentators criticized Trump’s remarks. CNN panelist Scott Jennings, typically a Trump ally, acknowledged the president had crossed a line. Jennings said during an appearance on CNN that the president should have said nothing. Jennings added that putting it in your pocket would have been the right thing to do.
Jennings added that while he understood Trump had negative feelings about Reiner, who had been a vocal critic of the president for years, someone was tragically murdered and the situation called for restraint. Jennings said he disagreed with the statement and wished Trump had not made it.
The controversy comes amid broader tensions between Trump and the Kennedy family. The president recently renamed the Kennedy Center, adding his own name to the historic arts venue that memorializes the 35th president. This move drew additional criticism from Shriver and other Kennedy family members, including Jack Schlossberg, who called Trump’s actions an intrusion into President Kennedy’s legacy.
Shriver’s Monday video marked her second public statement about the Reiner tragedy. In an earlier post, she shared memories of the couple and their commitment to making the country better.
The incident at the O’Brien party proved to be a pivotal moment.
Shriver emphasized that her criticism transcends political affiliation, arguing that basic standards of decency should apply regardless of party loyalty. She called on the president to demonstrate character, dignity, and the ability to bring Americans together during difficult times.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Shriver’s statements or the broader criticism surrounding Trump’s remarks about the Reiner deaths.
As the investigation into the deaths continues, the focus has shifted not only to the tragic loss of two prominent figures in Hollywood and activism but also to questions about presidential conduct and the responsibilities that come with the nation’s highest office. Shriver’s message resonated with her call for leadership that prioritizes unity over division during moments of national grief.