Barack and Michelle Obama were supposed to be seeing Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner on the day the latter couple were found dead, according to the former first lady.
During an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday night, Michelle Obama revealed: “We were supposed to be seeing them that night, last night, and we got the news.”
The two couples were longtime friends, with Michelle telling Kimmel that she and Barack had known Rob and Michele “for many, many years.”
Successful Hollywood filmmaker Rob and his wife were found dead in their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon. Both had lacerations consistent with a knife. The couple’s son, 32-year-old Nick Reiner, has since been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
In the immediate aftermath of the horrifying news going public, all manner of high-profile figures around the world professed their shock online. Rob was widely regarded as a legendary actor and director who later became a prominent political activist, while Michele was a photographer and film producer.
Among the innumerable tributes and messages of love was Donald Trump’s tasteless comment, wherein the president accused Rob Reiner of having ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’. So absurdly crass was Trump’s take that he even faced backlash from Republican politicians.
“They’re not deranged or crazed,” Michelle Obama told Kimmel, referencing Trump’s disparaging response to the tragedy.
“They were the kind of people who were ready to put their actions behind what they cared about, and they cared about their family, and they cared about this country, and they cared about fairness and equity, and that is the truth.”
Barack Obama posted on X shortly after the news went public: “Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michelle. Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen.
“But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people—and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action. Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose.”
Los Angeles prosecutors have stated that Nick Reiner may face the death penalty should he be found guilty of murdering his parents. The 32-year-old was initially held on a $4,000,000 bond following his arrest, but this was later updated to detain him in custody without bail as he awaits his day in court.
District attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement: “Rob Reiner was a brilliant actor and director, an iconic force in our entertainment industry for decades. His wife, Michele Singer Reiner, was an equally iconic photographer and producer.
“Their loss is beyond tragic. We will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice.”
