The Obamas were supposed to meet with famed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, the night they were brutally murdered, allegedly by their son, in their Los Angeles home.
“We were supposed to be seeing them that night — last night — and we got the news,” former First Lady Michelle Obama revealed during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Monday night.
The former first lady went on to say that she and her husband were devastated over the death of the legendary filmmaker and his wife, emphasizing that the two couples had been friends for “many, many years.”
“Let me just say this: Unlike some people, Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you would ever want to know,” she said, alluding to remarks from President Donald Trump, who earlier in the day described Reiner as a “deranged person” who suffered from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” while taking questions during a press conference.
“They are not deranged or crazed. What they have always been are passionate people who — 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,” Obama added.
Reiner was a longtime political activist and maintained close relationships with many prominent left-wing figures, including the Obamas. Following news of the couple’s deaths, former President Barack Obama paid tribute to them in a social media post.
“Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen,” he wrote on X.
“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. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”
Michelle Obama revealed on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ that she and Barack Obama had plans with Rob and Michele Reiner Sunday night. pic.twitter.com/46skLdCfGr
— LateNighter (@latenightercom) December 16, 2025
The couple’s son, Nick Reiner has been arrested and charged with the murders. Their bodies were first discovered by their daughter, Romy, who called police and stated that Nick was likely a suspect.
Los Angeles Police arrived around 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday and secured at the couple’s gated residence in the affluent Brentwood neighborhood, with no immediate reports of forced entry, suggesting the incident occurred within the home. Both victims had suffered multiple stab wounds and reportedly had their throats slashed.
Police stated that Nick Reiner, 32, was “responsible” for the deaths and booked him on suspicion of murder on Sunday night. He is currently being held on $4 million bail and was placed on suicide watch upon his arrest.
According to a report from TMZ, Rob and Nick got into a “loud argument” during a Christmas Party hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien on Saturday night, just hours before the brutal murder.
TMZ reported that Rob and Michele left the party shortly after the confrontation. It remains unclear whether Nick left at the same time. Family sources also told the outlet that Michele had confided in friends over recent months that she and Rob were at their “wits’ end” over Nick’s mental illness and alleged substance abuse issues.
