President Donald Trump is being lampooned from beyond the grave. The late Rob Reiner made a surprise appearance in the latest episode of Larry David’s new HBO comedy, “Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America,” for which former President Barack Obama serves as a co-executive producer.
Reiner’s Final Role as George Washington
In a role filmed before the “When Harry Met Sally” director’s death, Reiner plays George Washington in a skit where the first president announces that “no man should serve more than two terms as president.” “And I hope that future presidents will follow my lead,” Reiner’s Washington adds.
The sketch then proceeds to heavily and hilariously criticize Trump, who has attempted to normalize the idea of running for a third term by repeatedly suggesting it despite it being unconstitutional. The best part of the sketch is that Trump is never named. Rather David — who plays a man in the crowd — uses his signature obnoxious contrarian character to express concerns about Washington’s decree by raising highly specific examples of Trump’s behavior.
David’s Character Pokes Holes
“What if some future president doesn’t follow your lead and runs for a third term?” David’s character asks. Reiner’s Washington responds that Congress “can pass a constitutional amendment that would prohibit that.” “What if there’s some asshole in office, some narcissistic prick who doesn’t follow the Constitution?” David’s character retorts in an obvious swipe at Trump.
Washington explains that the U.S. system of checks and balances provides protection. “Rest assured, even if this future president violated the Constitution, then the Congress of the United States and the United States Supreme Court would not allow it,” the first president says. “But what if the Supreme Court is a bunch of yes-men, and Congress is a bunch of pussies who care more about party than country?” David’s character shouts.
Trump’s Actions Highlighted
Washington goes on to assure Americans there are multiple protections that would prevent a “sociopath” like Trump from retaining authoritarian control — all while David pokes holes in everything Washington mentions by using examples of things Trump has already done. At one point, David points out how a future president “can attack universities, even the free press, silencing anyone who dares to criticize him.” “Aw, c’mon. That can never happen,” interjects another person in the crowd, played by Jimmy Kimmel. “That’s what you think,” David responds.
“Are you suggesting that the president would taketh the time to challenge anyone who dares make fun of him? As if he were a big baby? … I don’t see it,” Kimmel’s character says in a clear reference to Trump’s attempt to get Kimmel’s talk show canceled. “What duly elected president would do such a thing?” Reiner’s character asks. “An insecure, lying asshole, who would even cheat at golf. He would cheat at golf,” David’s character responds.
Reiner’s Legacy as Trump Critic
The sketch concludes with another hilarious — albeit sad — reference to America’s current political climate: Everyone starts fighting. Until Reiner’s tragic death alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in December 2025, the “Princess Bride” director was an outspoken critic of Trump. Just months before his death, Reiner warned Americans that Trump would unleash a “full-on autocracy” on the country. “People have to understand our democracy is being taken away from us, and we only have about a year,” Reiner said while appearing on MSNBC in October 2025. Referring specifically to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and National Guard troops deployed to cities protesting the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdowns, Reiner added: “Make no mistake, we have a year before this country becomes a full-on autocracy, and democracy completely leaves us.”
