Mocking the newly dead is ugly. Doing it from the Oval Office is something else entirely. As Hollywood mourns Rob Reiner and his wife, Donald Trump chose blame and ridicule instead, invoking “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and turning a tragedy into a taunt. The backlash was immediate and fierce.

Rob Reiner spent decades telling stories that moved people, then spent his final years speaking out against a president he believed endangered democracy. His criticisms of Trump were blunt, but they came from conviction, not spectacle. Even critics acknowledged his sincerity and his willingness to stand publicly for what he believed.

Trump’s response reframed Reiner’s death as political fodder, mocking what he called an “obsession.” For many, that moment became less about partisan rivalry and more about basic decency — about how power is used when empathy is most required.

In the end, Reiner will be remembered for his work, his conscience, and the values he defended. Trump’s words will be remembered too — not for strength or leadership, but for what they revealed about character.