Jack White brands Donald Trump ‘vile egomaniac’ as White Stripes singer blasts Rob Reiner comments

Jack White has taken aim at Donald Trump after the US President suggested Rob Reiner’s death was linked to “anger” caused by what he described as “Trump derangement”.

The filmmaker, 78, was found dead alongside his wife, Michele Singer, 70, on Sunday afternoon.

The couple were discovered at their Los Angeles home, where they had both sustained fatal knife wounds. Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, has since been arrested.

Following news of the deaths, Mr Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social, writing: “A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele.”

He went on to claim the filmmaker’s death was “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, sometimes referred to as TDS”.

Mr Trump added: “He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before.”

He concluded his post by writing: “May Rob and Michele rest in peace!”

The acclaimed filmmaker, best known for directing classics including When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride, had been a vocal critic of Mr Trump since his first term in office began in 2016.

Mr Trump's comments sparked widespread outrage online.

One X user wrote: “I’ve voted for President Trump three times. I am disappointed in his Truth Social post. There is a time to just say nothing.” Another added: “It’s peak douchebaggery to slam someone when they’re dead.”

Among those condemning the remarks was musician Jack White, who shared a screenshot of the President’s post alongside a furious caption.

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A post shared by Jack White (@officialjackwhite)

“Trump, you disgusting, vile, egomaniac, loser, child,” Mr White wrote. “Neither he nor any one of his followers can defend this gross, horrible insult to a beautiful artist who gave the world so much.

“To use someone’s tragic death to promote your own vanity and fascist authoritarian agenda is a corrupt and narcissistic sin.

“Shame on you, Trump, and anyone who defends this. God bless you Rob Reiner and thank you for what you gave the world. I never even met you and I still stand by you.”

White signed off the message as “Jack White III”.

Fans of the guitarist quickly flooded his comments with messages of support.

“I’m sick to my stomach. Who turns murder into it being all about them?” one wrote, while another added: “He continues to show us that he’s unfit for office.”

“Always proud to be a Jack White fan!” another supporter commented.

Others, however, defended the President.

“All Trump said was the guy was a lunatic and sent his condolences. I see no problem,” one user wrote, while another added: “Jack White is an irrelevant one-hit-wonder washed-up clown.”

A third commented: “Funny. Reiner said the same stuff and worse about Trump, but it was celebrated. Strange.”

This is not the first time Mr White, the frontman of The White Stripes, has publicly clashed with Mr Trump.

The Trump campaign has repeatedly used the band’s music without permission. In August 2024, after a campaign aide posted a video featuring Seven Nation Army, Mr White threatened legal action, writing: “Don’t even think about using my music you fascists.”

Although a lawsuit was filed, it was later dropped following the election.

In August 2025, the band’s song We’re Going to Be Friends was also used in a Border Patrol promotional video, prompting further backlash from White.

Later that month, he criticised the redecoration of the Oval Office during Mr Trump’s second term, branding it “vulgar, gold-leafed and gaudy”.

The White House communications director responded by calling Mr White a “washed-up, has-been loser”.

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