Rock musician Jack White has issued a strong condemnation of Donald Trump following the former President’s social media comments regarding the death of filmmaker Rob Reiner.
The controversy stems from a post made by Trump on his Truth Social platform shortly after news broke that Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were found dead in their Los Angeles home.
White, known for his work with The White Stripes and his outspoken political views, criticized Trump for politicizing the tragedy.
Trump’s post acknowledged the deaths as “a very sad thing” but immediately pivoted to highlight Reiner’s history as a vocal critic of his administration. Trump suggested a link between Reiner’s political opposition and his demise, a statement that White described as “vile” and lacking basic human decency.
The events leading to this exchange began late Sunday night when authorities discovered the bodies of the Reiner couple in their Brentwood home. The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed that the case is being investigated as a homicide. In a shocking development reported on Monday, the couple’s son, Nick Reiner, was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder. Police have not yet released specific details regarding the cause of death or the evidence leading to the arrest, stating only that the investigation is active and ongoing.
White’s response highlights the deepening divide between the entertainment community and the political figurehead.
In his statement, White argued that using a family tragedy to score political points represents a new low, even for a figure as polarizing as Trump. The musician called for respect for the victims and their grieving family, urging the public to focus on the loss of a cinematic legend rather than political vendettas.
The online discourse has been volatile, with supporters of both sides clashing over the propriety of Trump’s comments and White’s rebuttal. This incident marks yet another flashpoint in the contentious relationship between the rock community and conservative political figures, occurring against the backdrop of a high-profile homicide investigation that has already captured national attention.
As the legal proceedings against Nick Reiner commence, the focus remains split between the criminal investigation and the cultural fallout sparked by the online exchange.
