Maria Shriver, niece of John F. Kennedy, has publicly condemned President Donald Trump for his remarks about the late director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner, who were killed at their home in Los Angeles over the weekend.
In an Instagram video posted Monday, Shriver urged Trump staffers to put him in a “timeout” and said his behavior makes her sick to her stomach. The criticism came after Trump claimed Reiner died of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and called the filmmaker “deranged” during remarks in the Oval Office.
Rob and Michele Reiner were killed at their home in Brentwood, California. Their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested for murder and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. According to reports, Nick Reiner stabbed his parents after an argument. His age is reported as either 32 years old or possibly 34 years old.
The tragedy has drawn national attention not only for its shocking nature but also for Trump’s response to it. Trump’s comments referenced recent violent incidents, including a shooting at Brown University and an attack at Bondi Beach, Australia, but used them to criticize Reiner rather than console the family.
In her video, Shriver said that regardless of political affiliation, the president of the United States is supposed to have character, know how to bring people together, and be a dignified human being who raises people up.
Shriver, 70, is the daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She and the Reiners raised their kids together and had shared dinner together in the past week. In her emotional appeal, she directed her message to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and others close to Trump, urging them to intervene.
Shriver called on Trump’s staff to talk to him, knock some sense into him, and put him in a time-out. She urged them to explain to him the possibility and responsibility of his office, and to tell him that Americans have had enough.
The president’s remarks have drawn criticism even from some Republican figures. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on social media that the Reiners were tragically killed at the hands of their own son, who reportedly had drug addiction and other issues, and that their remaining children are left in serious mourning and heartbreak. She characterized it as a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.
Conservative commentator Scott Jennings also expressed regret over Trump’s post during an appearance on CNN Monday evening. He said the president should have said nothing and that the correct answer would have been to just put it in his pocket.
British television personality Piers Morgan called Trump’s statement “a dreadful thing to say about a man who just got murdered by his troubled son” and urged the president to delete it. Former Congressman George Santos, however, defended Trump’s remarks.
Nick Reiner had struggled with drug addiction issues and went in and out of rehab and homelessness over the years. His parents had spoken publicly in the past about their efforts to help him, with Rob Reiner once telling media outlets about the challenges of navigating their son’s addiction.
The killing has shocked Hollywood and the broader Los Angeles community. Rob Reiner, potentially 79 years old, was a prominent filmmaker known for his political activism and vocal criticism of Trump over the years. Michele Reiner was also active in progressive causes.
Shriver’s public rebuke highlights growing tensions over Trump’s use of social media and public statements to attack critics, even in moments of tragedy. Her appeal to Trump’s inner circle reflects frustration among some that his behavior has not been moderated by those around him.
The incident occurred on Sunday, with Trump’s initial social media post appearing possibly on December 16, 2025. He doubled down on his criticism Monday during White House remarks, showing no signs of walking back his comments despite the mounting criticism.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment from media outlets seeking clarification on Trump’s remarks or whether he would apologize to the Reiner family.
Shriver’s connection to the Kennedy family through her mother and her late uncle adds weight to her criticism. The Kennedy political dynasty has long represented a vision of public service and dignity in office that stands in contrast to Trump’s combative style.
As the nation processes yet another tragedy, Shriver’s words echo a sentiment expressed by many Americans across the political spectrum: that moments of violence and loss should unite rather than divide, and that presidential leadership requires empathy and restraint, not personal attacks on the deceased.
