Photo: Randy Holmes
Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Monday night, Michelle Obama revealed that she and her husband Barack Obama had been scheduled to spend Sunday evening with Rob and Michele Reiner, only to learn hours earlier that the couple had been killed.
The former first lady shared the detail during an exchange with Kimmel, who began by acknowledging the Obamas’ long friendship with the Reiners and offering condolences.
“We’ve known them for many, many years,” Obama shared. “We were supposed to be seeing them that night—last night. And we got the news.”
As she reflected on the loss, Obama appeared to push back against comments made by President Donald Trump, who has twice described Reiner as “deranged” in the 24 hours following his death.
“Unlike some people, Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know,” Obama said, drawing applause from the studio audience. “They are not deranged or crazed. What they have always been are passionate people in a time when there—there’s not a lot of courage going on.”
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
Obama went on to describe the Reiners as people whose convictions were matched by action.
“They were the kind of people who were ready to put their actions behind what they cared about,” she said. “And they cared about their family. And they cared about their country. And they cared about fairness and equity. And that is the truth. I do know them.”
Obama’s comments came amid an evening filled with tributes to Reiner (and rebukes of Trump) across late night, with Seth Meyers devoting a full seven-minute segment in the middle of his show to appreciate the legendary actor/director.
