Donald Trump has insisted the late Rob Reiner was "very bad" for America

Speaking from the Oval Office, CNN reports Trump said: "I wasn't a fan of his at all.

"He became like a deranged person - 'Trump derangement syndrome.' So, I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all in any way, shape or form. I thought he was very bad for our country.

His comments came hours after his initial controversial post on his Truth Social platform.

The billionaire businessman wrote on the Truth Social platform: "Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, 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.

"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. May Rob and Michele rest in peace (sic)"

Unusually, Republican lawmakers have spoken out to criticise the president for his comments.

Rep. Thomas Massie wrote on X, "Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered."

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene added: "This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies."

Retiring Don Bacon branded Trump's remarks "classless".

He added: "It's not something to joke about."

Meanwhile, Senator John Kennedy urged the president to say "nothing" about such tragedies.

He said: "A wise man once said nothing. Why? Because he's a wise man. President Trump should have said nothing. I think when the president and these sorts of things, it detracts from his personal achievements and his agenda."

And Senator Ted Cruz, a fan of Rob's films, insisted "the president can speak for himself".

He added: "I can tell you every family in America has dealt with mental health challenges and has dealt with addiction challenges.

"Just seeing what happened last night just made me sick to my stomach and mental health is something that is outside of partisan politics."