Maria Shriver, 70, launched a scathing critique of President Donald Trump, 79, following his controversial comments about the recent deaths of her close friends, acclaimed film director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner. The couple was killed at their Brentwood, Los Angeles home on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in what authorities say was a double homicide allegedly committed by their son.
Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder after the incident. The incident followed an argument on Saturday at a party hosted by Conan O’Brien at his Los Angeles home, after which Nick Reiner stabbed his parents at their home. Nick had struggled with drug addiction issues for years.
In the hours before their deaths, Rob and Michele Reiner’s concerns about their son Nick had reached a critical point. At Conan O’Brien’s party, Rob reportedly confided to close friends that he was “petrified” of his son, saying, “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’m afraid of my son. I think my own son can hurt me.” The couple had brought Nick to the party specifically to “keep an eye on him,” according to Rolling Stone, but his erratic behavior throughout the evening alarmed multiple guests.
Nick, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 230 pounds, appeared so disheveled that some attendees, including Bill Hader, initially thought he had wandered in off the street. He stood alone by the firepit smoking and not engaging with anyone, then interrupted conversations with repeated unsettling questions—asking people their names, if they were famous—prompting one guest to describe him as “freaking everyone out, acting crazy.” The argument between Rob and Nick became so heated and loud that some guests wanted to call the police for a psychiatric hold, but O’Brien intervened, saying, “It’s my house, my party, I’m not calling the police.” Nick was eventually asked to leave the party.
Sources close to the family revealed that Nick had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had acted “erratic and dangerous” in the weeks leading up to the murders, despite Rob’s September statement to NPR that his son was “in a really good place” and hadn’t used drugs for over six years.
Trump addressed Reiner’s death both in the Oval Office and on social media, attributing the director’s passing to what he called “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Speaking to reporters Monday afternoon, Trump called Rob Reiner a “deranged person” and said he was “not a fan” of the filmmaker. The president’s social media post claimed Reiner “was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights.”
The remarks sparked immediate backlash, with Shriver, niece of President John F. Kennedy through his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver, posting an Instagram video condemning the president’s response. She urged Trump’s staff and family members to “put him in a time-out” and called his behavior petty and divisive. Shriver emphasized that Trump’s comments “make me sick to my stomach.”
In her emotional appeal, Shriver directly addressed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and others in Trump’s inner circle. “The president of the United States is supposed to have character, is supposed to know how to bring people together, is supposed to be a dignified human being who raises us up,” she said. Shriver stated, “We have had enough,” speaking as both a longtime Democrat-turned-independent and as someone grieving the loss of dear friends.
Shriver’s connection to the Reiner family ran deep. In an earlier post, she revealed that she and the Reiners had shared dinner together just days before their deaths. “We raised our kids together, from mommy and me on up,” she wrote, describing decades of friendship between the families. She said the couple was in the best place in their lives and never gave up on their country.
The journalist and author praised Rob and Michele Reiner’s dedication as parents, saying they loved their kids so much and never stopped trying to be really good parents. This commitment extended to their son Nick, whose struggles with addiction were well documented. The family now faces the dual trauma of losing both parents while navigating the criminal proceedings against their brother.
Rob Reiner’s career as a director included multiple films. Beyond his entertainment career, Reiner was known for his political activism and vocal criticism of Trump’s presidency. The director was a lifelong Democrat engaged in political activism well before Trump entered politics.
The president’s decision to focus on political disagreements rather than offer condolences drew criticism from multiple celebrities and public figures. The remarks represented an unusual departure from presidential protocol during times of personal tragedy, regardless of political differences. Traditional presidential responses to such events typically emphasize unity and sympathy for grieving families.
Maria Shriver’s willingness to speak out represented a breaking point for someone who typically maintains a measured public presence. Her video message underscored the personal nature of her response, as she pleaded with Trump’s allies to send him the message that Americans have had enough of such behavior.
The case has drawn significant media attention due to the prominent status of the victims and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The Hollywood community continues to mourn the loss of the director and his wife.
As the investigation continues, Shriver’s message resonated with those seeking a more unifying approach to national discourse. Her direct challenge to the president and his team reflected growing concerns about the tone of political rhetoric, particularly when addressing personal tragedies. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Shriver’s statements.
