Rob Reiner Tributes Turn Critical: Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers Call Out Trump
The entertainment world has been reeling from the tragic deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, whose bodies were found in their Los Angeles home earlier this week. As friends, colleagues, and fans mourned, late‑night hosts rallied to honor Reiner’s legacy — and, in some cases, used the moment to vocally criticize former President Donald Trump for his controversial reaction to the tragedy.
Remembering Rob Reiner: Legacy and Loss
Reiner was one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures, a director, actor, and activist whose work spanned decades and genres, from “When Harry Met Sally” to “This Is Spinal Tap” and “A Few Good Men”. Tributes across the industry hailed his creativity, passion, and genuine humanity following news of his and Michele’s deaths. Late‑night hosts joined in, offering heartfelt remembrances on air. While some focused purely on Reiner’s contributions to film and culture, others blended admiration with pointed commentary about the broader political discourse surrounding his death.
Jimmy Kimmel: Tribute and Sharp Rebuttal
On “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Kimmel delivered a tribute to Reiner that quickly turned to criticism of Trump’s public statements about the tragedy. Kimmel condemned a mid‑morning Truth Social post from Trump in which the ex‑president bizarrely attributed Reiner’s death to what he termed “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” a phrase frequently used by Trump supporters to disparage critics.
Kimmel did not mince words. In an article from The Guardian, Kimmel said, “Just when you think he can’t go any lower, he somehow finds a way to do that,” the host said, branding the remarks “so hateful and vile.” He added that when he first saw Trump’s comments, he assumed they were fake because they felt “too much,” even by that standard, only to find out they were real.
In his monologue, Kimmel emphasized the need for compassion and shared leadership during national loss — and expressed bafflement at what he saw as a politicization of a deeply personal tragedy. “Not to mention blaming his death on the fact that he is an outspoken liberal, insulting someone who has just been murdered, who leaves children behind, without having any idea of what actually happened. It’s so hateful and vile,” Kimmel said. Kimmel also invoked his own interactions with Reiner, suggesting the late director would want people to continue calling out what he described as “loathsome atrocities” in political rhetoric.
Seth Meyers: Poignant Tribute and Political Critique
Seth Meyers, host of “Late Night,” similarly honored Reiner’s life and legacy before also pivoting to criticism of Trump’s response. In his monologue, Meyers praised Reiner as a man who set an example — “a person so full of love,” he said — and spoke directly to Trump’s remarks. “I feared this was something he was going to do,” Meyers said of Trump’s social media reaction, noting he expected it might overshadow an already “dark day.”
He continued, “But it was even worse than I could’ve imagined,” lamenting what he described as Trump’s unending habit of making everything about himself. Meyers also underscored that there was no evidence that Reiner’s political views played a role in the violence — a detail tragically rooted in the fact that Reiner’s adult son has been charged in connection with the killings.
Wider Reaction and Mixed Tributes
Not all tributes adopted a political tone. Some hosts, like Jimmy Fallon, offered shorter, heartfelt recollections without mentioning Trump or the ensuing controversy. Other prominent voices in entertainment and politics — including former First Lady Michelle Obama — publicly emphasized Reiner’s decency and commitment to equity and family in remarks shared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” reinforcing the widespread respect he commanded.
As the nation continues to grapple with both the sorrow of Reiner’s loss and the fractious response to it, these tributes reflect broader cultural tensions — and the enduring impact Reiner had on colleagues, audiences, and the industry at large.
