David Urban, a former senior campaign adviser to President Donald Trump, has issued a sharp condemnation of the president's response to the tragic deaths of director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. Urban labelled Trump's social media post as "indefensible" and warned it could have political repercussions ahead of the crucial midterm elections.
An 'Indefensible' Response to Tragedy
The controversy stems from a post made by President Trump on his Truth Social platform following the news of the Reiners' deaths. The couple was found dead with stab wounds in their Los Angeles-area home on Sunday. Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been booked in connection with the deaths.
While many public figures offered condolences, Trump's post took a different tone. He suggested the deaths were "reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME." Rob Reiner was a well-known critic of the president and a celebrated director behind films like "The Princess Bride" and "A Few Good Men."
Appearing on CNN's "The Source" on Monday night, Urban did not mince words. "It's a terrible tragedy that they've suffered here, and the president's tweets — his Truth Social post — is indefensible by anybody. I don't know how anyone can defend it," he stated.
A Missed Opportunity for Compassion
Urban expressed disappointment that Trump failed to seize a chance to show leadership and empathy. He noted that the president had been given an opportunity to "clean it up" and offer genuine sympathy to the grieving family but chose not to do so.
He drew a stark contrast with the recent killing of right-wing podcaster Charlie Kirk. Urban pointed out that one positive outcome from that tragedy was a unifying condemnation of those who celebrated Kirk's death. He recalled that Rob Reiner himself had publicly offered condolences to Kirk's widow, Erika, and condemned the shooter.
"I thought that one of the few good things that came out of Charlie Kirk's death was that people came together," Urban said, making Trump's vitriolic post about the Reiners ring "so badly."
Political Fallout Ahead of Midterms
Urban, a seasoned political operative, connected the president's actions directly to the upcoming electoral battle. He lamented that such posts detract from the administration's policy accomplishments.
"It's just saddening because the president does a lot of good things, this administration does lots of good things, but yet these kinds of posts, these kinds of actions by the president detract from all of that," he argued.
His most pointed warning was about the political calculus. "I think the president forgot elections are about addition, one plus one plus one, and as we head into the midterms, I'm wondering how many Republicans were added to the voter rolls today. I think none," Urban concluded, suggesting the post may alienate voters rather than attract them.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension within the Republican Party between Trump's combative style and the strategic need to build a broader coalition, a challenge that becomes ever more critical as election day approaches.
