Former first lady Michelle Obama revealed that she and former President Barack Obama were scheduled to meet with director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele on the night the couple was found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home, a tragic discovery that has shocked Hollywood and prompted fierce backlash against President Donald Trump’s comments about the late filmmaker.
Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday, December 15, 2025, Michelle Obama said she and her husband had known the Reiners “for many, many years” and were expecting to see them that evening before receiving devastating news of their deaths.
“We were supposed to be seeing them that night and we got the news,” Michelle Obama told host Jimmy Kimmel. “Let me just say this: unlike some people, Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know.”
Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Reiner, 68, were discovered in their Los Angeles home. The couple’s daughter, Romy Reiner, 28, made the grisly discovery and told responding officers that a dangerous family member should be a suspect.
Nick Reiner, 32, the couple’s son, was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held without bail at Twin Towers Correctional Facility, where he has been placed on suicide watch.
The former first lady appeared to directly address Trump’s controversial post on Truth Social, where the president claimed Reiner had Trump Derangement Syndrome. Michelle Obama said during her appearance that the Reiners are not deranged or crazed, emphasizing they were passionate people who were ready to put their actions behind what they cared about.
She emphasized that the Reiners cared about their family and they cared about this country and they cared about fairness and equity.
Barack Obama released a statement praising the couple’s legacy. “Beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people — and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action,” the former president wrote.
Kimmel also condemned Trump during his monologue, calling the president’s remarks about Reiner hateful and vile. The late-night host said that when he first saw Trump’s post, he thought it was fake because it seemed excessive even by the president’s standards.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have raised questions about family tensions in the days before the tragedy. Nick Reiner and his father were involved in an argument at the Conan O’Brien Christmas party on Saturday, just hours before the couple was killed.
Sources indicate Nick Reiner has struggled with behavioral issues from a young age and has a history of drug addiction. Romy Reiner had previously alerted authorities about concerns regarding a dangerous family member.
The deaths have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, where Rob Reiner was regarded as one of Hollywood’s most accomplished directors and an outspoken advocate for social causes. The filmmaker’s work spanned decades and included some of cinema’s most beloved stories.
Michelle Obama’s appearance on the late-night talk show highlighted the personal loss felt by those close to the couple. Her defense of their character stood in stark contrast to the political rhetoric that emerged in the immediate aftermath of their deaths.
The Obamas’ longstanding friendship with the Reiners reflected shared values and mutual respect built over many years. Michelle Obama described them as people who demonstrated courage at a time when such qualities appear increasingly rare in public life.
The investigation continues as Nick Reiner remains in custody. The case has drawn intense public attention not only because of Rob Reiner’s prominence in Hollywood but also due to the deeply personal nature of the alleged crime and the family dynamics that may have contributed to the tragedy.
The contrast between the tributes from friends and the controversial political commentary has sparked broader conversations about civility and respect in public discourse, particularly in the wake of violent tragedy.
Michelle Obama’s emotional tribute underscored the human dimension of the loss, reminding viewers that behind the headlines were two people who dedicated their lives to their family, their art, and their commitment to making a positive difference in society.
The former first lady’s words carried particular weight given her revelation that she and Barack Obama had been expecting to spend that evening with the couple. The planned gathering never occurred, replaced instead by the shocking news that would reverberate through Hollywood and beyond.
