Joe Rogan Joins Critics in Condemning Trump’s Remarks on Rob Reiner’s Death
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — In a rare public rebuke from a former Trump supporter, podcast host Joe Rogan sharply criticized former President Donald Trump’s recent online comments regarding the tragic death of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. The remarks, which many found deeply insensitive, have sparked a wave of condemnation from across the political and entertainment spectrum.
On December 15, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, attributing the deaths of Reiner and his wife to “anger he caused others” through what Trump called “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” a term he has frequently used to dismiss critics. The statement drew immediate outrage for its perceived callousness in the wake of a family tragedy.
During a December 25 episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan expressed his dismay, saying, “The Rob Reiner thing is not funny,” and likened Trump’s comments to celebrating violence against others, referencing the incident involving conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. “When you see it with no empathy, that’s when it’s hard to like,” Rogan said, emphasizing the importance of compassion in public discourse.
Rogan further compared Trump’s rhetoric to a hypothetical scenario in which former President Barack Obama would have tweeted disparaging remarks about someone after their death, underscoring the unprecedented nature of Trump’s conduct. “It just shows you how crazy it is, the way Trump thinks and talks,” Rogan lamented.
The deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner are under investigation after their youngest son, Nick Reiner, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. This tragic development has only intensified the sensitivity surrounding public commentary on the case.
Rogan urged that Trump’s access to social media should be curtailed, stating, “Somebody should’ve taken his fucking phone away before he started posting to Truth Social.” He called the president’s remarks “so disappointing,” adding, “If you say that privately, that’s one thing, which is also crazy, but it’s so disappointing… someone would have to be the worst person ever and then you’d be like fuck that guy.”
Trump doubled down during a press conference when questioned about bipartisan criticism of his statements, reiterating his disdain for Reiner and dismissing him as “a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.”
The backlash has been swift and widespread. Prominent figures from Hollywood and Washington, including comedian Jimmy Kimmel and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, have publicly condemned Trump’s remarks. The White House has not issued a formal response, but the controversy has reignited debates about the tone and civility of political discourse in America.
As the nation continues to grapple with the repercussions of the Reiner family tragedy, the episode highlights the increasingly fraught intersection of politics, social media, and personal loss. Rogan’s vocal criticism of Trump marks a notable shift in the dialogue surrounding the former president’s influence and the limits of public commentary during moments of profound grief.
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