Trump news at a glance: US president condemned over Rob Reiner comments
Celebrities and lawmakers from across the two major American political parties condemned Donald Trump after he blamed the death of Rob Reiner on what he described as the acclaimed Hollywood director’s dislike of him.
Following the reported deaths of Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele, 68, who were found at their Brentwood home on Sunday, Trump took to social media to label the director as “tortured and struggling.” He also claimed Reiner died “due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”
Trump then pivoted to praising his own achievements, suggesting that Reiner’s alleged “raging obsession” and “obvious paranoia” toward him contrasted with his administration.
The US president also directed attention at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Monday, filing a lawsuit over its editing of a speech he delivered to supporters in Washington before the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Trump is seeking at least $5 billion in damages.
Here are the key stories at a glance.
Trump’s post on Rob Reiner sparks outrage from lawmakers and celebrities
Celebrities and lawmakers quickly denounced Trump’s remarks as “petty” and “disgusting.”
Actor Patrick Schwarzenegger wrote on X, “What a disgusting and vile statement.”
Similarly, Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner as a friend and “quite an amazing man,” condemned the president.
Read the full story at The Guardian.
Donald Trump sues BBC for at least $10bn over edit of January 6 speech
Ahead of filing, Trump hinted at the action on Monday, telling reporters in the Oval Office: “In a little while, you’ll be seeing I’m suing the BBC for putting words in my mouth. Literally, they put words in my mouth. They had me saying things that I never said coming out.”
The lawsuit centers on a Panorama edition broadcast a week before the 2024 US election.
Read the full story at The Guardian.
US green card holder sues ICE over claims of ‘violent assault’
A green-card holder and her two American children filed a lawsuit against ICE after a violent and allegedly unlawful detention in Massachusetts, during which they were hospitalized. Hilda Ramirez Sanan, who has lived in the U.S. for over two decades, and her two U.S. citizen children allege they were illegally detained.
Read the full story at The Guardian.
Kash Patel criticized for touting FBI’s work on Brown shooting prematurely
Kash Patel, the FBI director, faces renewed criticism for rushing to social media to celebrate the agency’s progress in locating a shooting suspect before confirmation.
Read the full story at The Guardian.
Lawyers accuse DoJ of political pressure in UC antisemitism investigation
DoJ lawyers reportedly felt pressured to frame the University of California as discriminating against Jewish students and faculty, described by one attorney as a “hit job” influenced by the Trump administration.
Read the full story at The Guardian.
Newsom appoints ex-CDC officials to lead California’s new public health network
Governor Gavin Newsom announced two prominent scientists who recently left the CDC to head California’s Public Health Network Innovation Exchange (PHNIX). Dr. Susan Monarez will lead the initiative.
Read the full story at The Guardian.
What else happened today:
- Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said her son was stopped by ICE agents after Trump ordered an operation targeting Minnesota’s Somali population.
- Nancy Pelosi suggested she may not see a woman become US president in her lifetime.
- A Chinese man who left China after filming sites of alleged Uyghur rights violations may face removal from the U.S., per his lawyer and mother.
- European leaders indicated readiness to lead a multinational force in Ukraine as part of a U.S. peace proposal.
Catching up? Here’s what happened on 14 December 2025.
