Rob Reiner Issued an Unsettling Warning Just Months Before His Death
What To Know
- Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home, with their son Nick Reiner arrested as a suspect in their deaths.
- Months before his death, Reiner warned in a CNN interview about threats to media freedom and the First Amendment, criticizing then-President Trump’s attempts to control the media.
- Reiner chillingly predicted the possibility of losing free media and hinted that it might be his last public appearance.
Rob Reiner issued an unsettling warning just months before his death in a resurfaced interview with CNN.
On Sunday, December 14, the iconic director, 78, — known for films like This Is Spinal Tap (1984), When Harry Met Sally (1987), The Princess Bride (also 1987), Stand by Me (1992), and more — was discovered dead alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, 68, in their Los Angeles home. Their son, Nick Reiner, was taken into police custody as a suspect.
As those in Hollywood and fans alike were left reeling in the wake of Reiner’s death, chilling remarks he made in a September 2025 interview came to light.
The All in the Family actor spoke with CNN anchor Brianna Keilar after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was indefinitely suspended because of Jimmy Kimmel‘s remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk‘s death. Several affiliate networks pulled the show, prompting ABC to halt production in hopes of “taking down the temperature.” Ultimately, the late-night show returned to ABC after a six-day suspension.
“Control the media, control the message,” Reiner said of President Donald Trump‘s administration. “Make sure that only what we have to say and only what we believe will get out to the public.”
He then pointed out, “That goes and flies 180 degrees against the First Amendment of the Constitution.” As Reiner saw it, the POTUS was attempting to “destroy the Constitution” and take control of what the media could say.
“It can’t happen,” he declared. “If it does happen… You’re not going to be having this program. You’re not going to be having someone like me on to talk. It will be state-run media, and that is the basis for authoritarian rule.”
Rob Reiner, Michele Singer Reiner, Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Before the CNN interview ended, Reiner made a chilling prediction, warning, “By the way, this may be the last time you ever see me.”
Reiner and Michele’s daughter, Romy, found her parents with their throats slit by a family member on Sunday. Nick, who has been open about his struggle with addiction, was questioned by police and ultimately arrested and is being held on a $4 million bail.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” the Reiner family said in a statement to Variety. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
Meanwhile, Trump took to Truth Social with a bold message about Reiner and his wife after their deaths.
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