James Woods, a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, is speaking out against the "disgusting" comments made about Rob Reiner, a late friend and colleague from their time working together on "Ghosts of Mississippi" in 1996. During an appearance on Fox News Monday night, Woods opened up about his late friend, revealing that Reiner's guidance had turned his career around at a low point in his life.
"Rob literally saved my career and put me back on track in a way that was so important and rewarding," Woods said, choking back tears as he spoke with Jesse Watters. "I went from being basically out of a job to getting an Academy Award nomination, and I give all the credit to Rob."
Despite their differing political views, friends often asked Woods how he could be friends with a liberal activist like Reiner. "I judge people by how they treat me, and Rob Reiner was a Godsend in my life," Woods said. "We got along great, we loved each other... He was always on my side."
When asked about Reiner's politics, Woods replied, "I think Rob Reiner is a great patriot. Do I agree on many of his ideas on how that patriotism should be enacted? No. He doesn't agree with me either, but he also respects my patriotism. We had a different path to the same destination, which was a country we both love."
Woods added, "Because you disagree with people doesn't mean that you have to hate people." He also brought up Reiner's reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk in September, calling it "horrible" and stating that he didn't care about people's political beliefs when it came to such a heinous act.
"I knew Charlie Kirk, I supported him... people said some such horrible things, and Rob did not," Woods said Monday night. "When people say horrible things about Rob right now, I find it infuriating and disgusting. Did I agree with his politics? No. Did I love him as a friend, as an artist, as an icon of Hollywood, and as a patriot? Absolutely, and I am absolutely devastated."
Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, were murdered in their home in Brentwood, Calif., on Sunday, December 14th. Following the deaths, Trump posted on TruthSocial that the director "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." In a press conference later that day, Trump added, "I wasn't a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned... I thought he was very bad for our country."
