Actor and director Rob Reiner made an ominous prediction on CNN in September, just three months before he and his wife were found dead in their Los Angeles home Sunday.
Reiner and spouse Michelle Singer were discovered with stab wounds. Police are investigating the deaths as a homicide.
On September 19, the director spoke to CNN anchor Brianna Keilar about the suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel, warning of broader threats to free speech and democratic institutions. There is no suggestion that Sunday's discovery is in any way connected to those threats.
Reiner expressed his concern about speaking out against President Donald Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, telling Keilar: "This may be the last time you ever see me because ... there's only a couple of us that are speaking out in this hard way. And I, we, hope and we know that there will be others. And so I don't think you can destroy a whole industry."
The award-winning director emphasized the need to protect First Amendment rights. Regarding Kimmel's suspension by ABC and Disney, Reiner stated: "I'm a friend of Jimmy's. And what happened to him is unconscionable. It just can't happen."
Kimmel was suspended following comments about right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Critics argued the networks capitulated to pressure from Trump.
Reiner characterized the situation as extending far beyond a single incident. "We're in a war. We're in a war right now for our democracy," he said. "Trump has declared war on this democracy. He throws people out of the country without due process. He takes funds that were appropriated by Congress, refuses to distribute them, in clear contradiction to the Constitution, the separation of powers."