James Woods condemns Donald Trump’s “infuriating” remarks on death of Rob Reiner
James Woods has tearfully claimed that criticism of Rob Reiner in the wake of his death, from the likes of Donald Trump, is “infuriating and distasteful”.
The actor appeared emotional during an interview with Fox News on December 15th, following the news that Hollywood director Reiner, and his wife Michele, were found dead in their home in Los Angeles on December 14th. Their son, Nick Reiner, is currently in custody charged with their murders.
In response, Trump took to Truth Social to claim that Reiner, a well-known Democrat, died due to “Trump Derangement Syndrome”, sparking widespread condemnation over the comments.
Woods, a longtime supporter of the US president, has joined in with these calls by first saying Reiner was “a Godsend in my life” after appearing in his 1996 film, Ghosts of Mississippi.
“We got along great, we loved each other… He was always on my side,” Woods said, subsequently calling Reiner a “patriot” for “the America we both love”.
Pointing to the example Reiner made earlier this year by condemning the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, Woods added: “Because you disagree with people doesn’t mean that you have to hate people.”
By comparison, referencing the response to Reiner’s own death, the actor continued: “When people say horrible things about Rob right now, I find it, quite frankly, infuriating and distasteful. Did I agree with his politics? I did not. Did I love him as a friend, as an artist, as an icon of Hollywood, and as a patriot? I most certainly did, and I am just absolutely devastated.”
Similar criticisms of the response to Reiner’s death have been echoed across the entertainment and political spheres, with even prominent Republicans within Trump’s own party condemning his remarks.
The former White Stripes frontman, Jack White, took to Instagram in the hours after Trump made the comments, saying, “Trump you disgusting, vile, egomaniac loser, child. Neither he nor any one of his followers can defend this vile, horrible insult to a beautiful artist who gave the world so much.”
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