Maria Shriver Can't 'Ignore' Donald Trump's 'Inhumane Behavior' As She Defends Rob Reiner & Wife As 'Devoted Parents'

Donald Trump's remarks mocking the deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, have sparked backlash, with longtime friend Maria Shriver joining critics and choosing to honor the couple's true legacy.

As the world mourned the filmmaker and his wife, the president offered no sympathy, issuing harsh remarks that tied their deaths to disapproval of his administration.

Shriver countered by sharing heartfelt memories, portraying Rob and Michele as loving people whose lives were defined by care for their kids and others.

Maria Shriver Reacts To Donald Trump's Statement About Rob And Michele Reiner

The former "CBS Morning News" anchor did not hold back in responding to Trump, calling his actions inappropriate and evil amid the family's grief. 

"I try to rise above the noise all the time, but this individual has no human decency. This goes beyond. It's absolutely disgusting," Shriver slammed Trump on X. She added, "We should all be horrified and disgusted by this inhumane behavior, because that's what it is."

She went on to describe the couple as "good, kind, loving people" and emphasized the family's deep pain. Questioning Trump's lack of empathy, she asked, "What kind of human being would share a statement like this, much less a president?"

Shriver pointed out that although Rob and Michele would have told her to "ignore" the remarks, she could not remain silent. 

In a follow-up post, Shriver emphasized that the Reiners were "devoted parents" who loved their kids and did not stop caring for them. She urged that their deaths be met with "love and compassion, not politics or judgment". "Just because we have a president who can't do better doesn't mean each of us can't," Shriver penned on X. 

Maria Shriver Honored Rob And Michele Reiner In A Heartfelt Remembrance 

I loved Michele and Rob Reiner. They were among my closest friends. We raised our kids together, from mommy and me on up. We laughed together, we cried together, we played together, we dreamed together. We had dinner this past week, and they were in the best place in the their… pic.twitter.com/TCDRkyAzqy

— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) December 15, 2025

Before condemning Trump's remarks, Shriver shared an emotional tribute to Rob and Michele, honoring their love for family and life.

Calling them among her "closest friends," Shriver recalled the years they spent raising their children together and revealed she had dined with them just a week earlier. 

"They were in the best place in their lives-loving each other, their family, and their friends," the 70-year-old author shared on X. She continued highlighting their devotion to their children, adding, "They never stopped trying to be good parents," and closed with a somber note. "Life will not be the same without you," Shriver wrote.

What Donald Trump Said of Rob And Michele Reiner's Tragic Passing That Sparked Outrage 

While tributes poured in for the film director, Trump offered no condolences and instead claimed their deaths were a result of what he described as "Trump Derangement Syndrome."

Per The Blast, the U.S. leader took to his Truth Social, alleging Reiner's fixation on him spread to others and that the actor's paranoia intensified as his administration achieved its goals earlier this year.

Trump noted that Reiner was "known to have driven people crazy by his raging obsession with President Donald J. Trump," adding that his paranoia reached "new heights" as the administration entered what he called a "Golden Age of America." The post ended with, "May Rob and Michele rest in peace."

Other Reactions To Donald Trump's Remarks 

In no time, the commander-in-chief's statement earned him brutal criticism online. Critics argued that human decency was expected in such a moment of tragedy instead of harshness.

Political commentator Brian Krassenstein condemned it on X, writing, "This is the most disgusting post Donald Trump has ever made."

Another social media user added, "Regardless of politics, using someone's death to make a joke or a political point is just bottom-of-the-barrel behavior. We've lost the script on basic human decency if this is considered acceptable discourse." 

Others suggested that if similar comments had come from liberal figures, the outrage would have been even greater.

Tributes Roll In For The Late 'All in The Family' Actor

While Trump cast Reiner's death in a controversial light, The Blast reported that multiple sources alleged his son Nick was involved, following an emergency call at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Firefighters later identified the victims as Rob and Michele Reiner.

In the wake of the tragedy, Hollywood has been shaken, with heartfelt tributes flooding in. Ben Stiller led the remembrances, calling Rob "one of my favorite movie directors," and praising the lasting impact of his work on the industry.

Elijah Wood expressed sorrow and extended sympathy to the family. Roseanne Barr shared her shock and condolences, while John Cusack celebrated Reiner's remarkable legacy in film.