President Donald Trump managed to do what he does best: enrage everyone — this time, in a way that left even longtime observers of his social media uncomfortably stunned. Following the tragic deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in their Los Angeles home — their son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested in connection with the killings — Trump posted on social media blaming what he called “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS) for their fate. In other words, he suggested their outspoken criticism of him had brought this on. It was a shocking, reckless, and widely condemned post.
The backlash was immediate. Even some Republicans and MAGA diehards called it out. But something else happened too: people started talking — openly, loudly, and without restraint — about how Trump’s own eventual death might be received.
“Do you think, in his heart of hearts, he knows that while his death will certainly be covered by TV news & breaking alerts, people will learn about it when they see neighbors spontaneously celebrating, hooting and hollering in the streets, spreading good cheer and pouring each other popped champagne?” wrote Kelsey Atherton, editor of the Center for International Policy Journal.
From there, the floodgates opened. Social media users shared jokes, speculation, and even party plans, treating the idea like a cultural event rather than a grim topic.
“I hope y’all know when this man perishes there’s nothing y’all can do to stop us from celebrating 24/7. I don’t wanna hear “respect the dead” from you weak links that wanna be different,” wrote X user TrevVanzant.
“I have a note on my phone of jokes i’m saving for the day,” admitted writer Catherine Tinker.
Others were more… dramatic. “Imma grab a cigar, two fingers of God’s best bourbon, grab my fully charged phone… AND TAKE IT TO HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!” warned Bluesky user Solomon.
Podcaster Lauren even set expectations for a national celebration. “I think we should all commit ourselves to, minimum, a national 3-day party When It Happens,” she wrote. “One bottle of champagne in the back of your closet is no longer adequate. Be prepared.”
The scenarios kept getting wilder. “Special announcement in the middle of the Oscars, followed by some of the greatest crowd reaction shots ever seen,” imagined Bluesky user Dailey.
“Gonna party so hard when it happens I might have to be sober for a few years,” agreed media researcher Bobby Lewis.
Others promised no restraint. “Zero grace when It Happens. Zero decorum given,” lawyer Chris Jackson wrote. “I’m high-fiving strangers on the street.”
Some looked beyond the U.S. borders. “There’ll be fireworks in countries they’ve never heard of,” added Bluesky user Maven.
And a few even compared it to past internet moments. “When it happens, it’ll be 100x funnier than the day he got covid, which was an all-timer,” said Bluesky user Erl.
“The most anticipated obituary awaits the world, And you don’t even need a name,” posted Bluesky user Baron.
A handful of users are already ready with cigars, fireworks, and drafted sick-day notes. “I have a cigar and fireworks waiting for when it happens,” said The Schadenfreude Kid. “I’m calling out sick When It Happens, I’ve already drafted the message, let’s go,” added writer Magen Cubed.
Others are planning PTO. “I’m calling out sick When It Happens, I’ve already drafted the message, let’s go,” promised writer Magen Cubed.
None of this emerged in a vacuum. Trump didn’t just insult a critic this week — he casually floated violence as a punchline. When a sitting president toys with that idea, people don’t just get angry. They take mental notes. They imagine endings.
This isn’t about death itself. It’s about legacy. Trump has spent years cultivating an image built on cruelty, grievance, and humiliation as sport. The reaction unfolding online is the mirror image of that project. Loud. Unfiltered. Unapologetic.
