OPINION:
One of the most pertinent tests of our individual decency, kindness and capacity for humanity is how we react when a perceived enemy faces trials and tribulations.
And this is an examination of the heart that President Trump recently failed on an epic, unfortunate and global scale.
Commenting on the murders of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, Mr. Trump took to his Truth Social profile Dec. 15 to offer one of the most head-scratching, lamentable and downright shameful reactions to a death I’ve ever seen from an American president.
“A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood,” the president opened in the first line of his remembrance.
From there, it went downhill fast, with Mr. Trump calling Mr. Reiner “a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star.” Then, the president proceeded to take jabs at Mr. Reiner just hours after he and his wife were found stabbed to death in their home.
What came next, though, was truly ghastly.
“[He] 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,” Mr. Trump wrote. “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.”
Bizarrely, Mr. Trump concluded his self-centered message by wishing the Reiners the customary “rest in peace.”
Make no mistake: Mr. Reiner was a staunch critic of the president — perhaps the most outspoken in Hollywood. It’s understandable why Mr. Trump would hold negative views toward Mr. Reiner, but considering the circumstances, timing and the office Mr. Trump holds, the president’s reaction was nothing short of abysmal.
When I saw his post, I assumed it was generated through artificial intelligence and was horrified to learn of its authenticity. Our politics have fallen to such a depraved and abominable level that none of us should be surprised, yet we must expect — and demand — more from our leaders.
Of course, it’s easy to target Mr. Trump in this circumstance since his handling of this was so poor and public, yet this debacle prompts an important question for us all: When a person whom we see as an enemy falls or struggles, how do we choose to react?
Will we relish their pain and suffering — or mourn for what has befallen them? This is a question many of us face as we cope with difficult personalities in our lives.
The truly wretched part of the president’s reaction is that he’s not merely a private citizen dealing with a personal offense; he’s the leader of the free world. Thus, his decision to use the apparent murder of a man to take jabs isn’t only a violation of what’s good and holy, but it also sullies the dignity of the office that he holds.
Political reporter David Brody perhaps best summarized his reaction to Mr. Trump’s post in a quick but pointed X post: “This is so SAD to see from President Trump. This is NOT just, ‘Trump being Trump.’ It’s Trump being classless.” And many Republicans agree.
But don’t just take Mr. Brody or my word for it. The Bible offers considerable guidance on how we should handle our enemies. Proverbs 24:17-18 (NIV) offers a powerful proclamation about how not to behave when an enemy is struggling or suffering.
“Do not gloat when your enemy falls,” these verses read. “When they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.”
In the New Testament, we also see Jesus speaking very clearly about these issues, urging his followers in Matthew 5:43-48 to show love for their enemies.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven,” Christ proclaims. “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Ultimately, Mr. Trump owes America and the Reiner family an apology. His words erode some of the good work he has done and further plunge America into a political abyss that no longer sees people as human, elevating the self and unforgiveness above all else.
Mr. Trump is better than this and should behave accordingly.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” Mr. Hallowell is the author of four books.
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