Former First Lady Michelle Obama disclosed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” that she and former President Barack Obama had plans to meet director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele on Sunday, December 14, 2025, the night the couple was found dead in their Brentwood, California home. During her appearance, she honored the couple and addressed President Donald Trump’s contentious remarks regarding Reiner’s death.
“We’ve known them for many, many years and were supposed to be seeing them that night — last night,” Michelle Obama explained to Kimmel on Monday night. “And we got the news.” The bodies of Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Reiner, 70, were discovered around 3:40 p.m. Sunday at their $13.5 million mansion in Los Angeles, California, by their daughter Romy Reiner.
The discovery circumstances were unsettling. Romy reportedly informed police officers that a family member “should be a suspect” as they are “dangerous.” Her statement proved insightful when her brother Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested Monday on suspicion of murder in connection with the deaths. He was booked and is being held without bail.
The incident followed troubling events the previous night. Nick attended a holiday party at Conan O’Brien’s house with his parents, where witnesses noted he had a “very loud argument” with Rob and Michele, causing concern among other attendees. On Sunday, after allegedly killing his parents, Nick checked into the Pierside Santa Monica hotel, where staff found blood in the shower. Hotel witnesses described Nick as appearing “tweaked out” upon arrival.
Police released photos showing Nick’s arrest at a subway station in Exposition Park, California. The images captured the moment officers took him into custody.
During her appearance Monday night, Michelle Obama seemed to directly address Trump’s Truth Social post about Reiner, in which the president claimed the director 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.” Reiner had been a vocal critic of Trump throughout his career.
“Let me just say this: unlike some people, Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever wanna know,” Obama stated to applause. “They are not deranged or crazed; what they have always been are passionate people. In a time when there’s not a lot of courage going on, 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; I do know them.”
Host Jimmy Kimmel also criticized Trump’s comments during his Monday night show, labeling the post “so hateful and vile.” He mentioned to his audience that when his wife first showed him the statement, he initially thought it was fake. “Even for him, that seemed like too much,” Kimmel said. “But nothing is ever too much for him.”
The incident had a significant impact in Hollywood, with longtime friend Billy Crystal visiting the Reiner mansion after the deaths were uncovered. Barack Obama released a statement Monday commending the couple’s legacy and expressing condolences to their family and friends.
Nick Reiner has a documented history of drug addiction spanning over half his life. The family had been dealing with his worsening mental illness and substance abuse issues for months, with sources suggesting they had told friends, “We’ve tried everything.”
The Los Angeles Police Department declared that Nick is “responsible” for the deaths of his parents. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of filing.
Rob Reiner was known for directing popular films such as “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally,” while Michele was a respected photographer and producer.
The planned meeting between the Obamas and the Reiners highlighted the close relationship between the couples, built over many years of friendship. Michelle Obama’s defense of the couple’s character and accomplishments contrasted with the political attacks following their deaths, emphasizing their dedication to causes they supported and their commitment to their family.