Michelle Obama contrasts Trump's post, says she and Barack were supposed to meet Rob and Michele Reiner

In a deeply emotional public moment, Michelle Obama addressed the shocking deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, revealing how close the tragedy hit home. The former First Lady spoke candidly during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, sharing that she and former President Barack Obama were supposed to meet the couple the very night they were found dead. 

As news of the killings spread, reactions poured in from Hollywood and political figures alike. Michelle Obama’s response stood apart for its emphasis on empathy and character, at a time when public discourse around the tragedy had already become heated.

Michelle Obama reflects on loss and defends longtime friends

During her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Michelle Obama spoke with visible emotion about Rob and Michele Reiner, describing them as close friends and whom she and her husband had known for many years. She revealed that the Obamas were supposed to have dinner with the couple on the same evening they were found dead in their Brentwood home.

“We were supposed to be seeing them that night — last night — and we got the news,” Michelle Obama said. 

Michelle Obama also addressed the political commentary that followed the news, particularly remarks made by Donald Trump about Rob Reiner. Without naming Trump directly at first, she pushed back strongly against the language used to describe the filmmaker.

“Let me just say this: unlike some people, Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever wanna know. They are not deranged or crazed, what they have always been are passionate people. In a time when there’s not a lot of courage going on, they were the kind of people who were ready to put their actions behind what they cared about. And they cared about their family and they cared about this country and they cared about fairness and equity. And that is the truth; I do know them,” she said.

Michelle Obama highlighted Reiners’ values with her comments. Her defense was grounded in personal experience, noting that she had known them long enough to speak with certainty about their character. Former President Barack Obama also shared a statement on X, expressing heartbreak, praising Rob Reiner’s contributions to film, and his belief in the goodness of people:

Together, the Obamas’ remarks painted a picture of a couple remembered not only for professional success, but for moral conviction and generosity.

Rob Reiner’s death, the investigation, and Trump’s controversial remarks

The Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele, 68, were found dead inside their Brentwood home on Sunday afternoon. Authorities reported apparent knife wounds, and later that night, the couple’s 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has since been taken into custody as the investigation continues. Police have not publicly suggested a motive, and the case remains ongoing.

The deaths sent shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond. Rob Reiner was widely respected for his work as a director, actor, and producer, with films such as The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Stand By Me, and A Few Good Men forming a lasting cultural legacy. Tributes poured in from filmmakers, actors, and public figures across the political spectrum.

However, the mourning was quickly overshadowed by a social media post from the United States President Donald Trump. In a Truth Social message, Trump referred to Rob Reiner as deranged and claimed his death was linked to what he called “Trump Derangement Syndrome”: 

“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, Michele, 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. He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!”

He later doubled down on those remarks during comments to reporters.

Stay tuned with us for further updates.