'JJ is a comedian now?': Judge Judy trolled for endorsing 'whip-smart' Nikki Haley in 2024 presidential race

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA: Famed television court personality "Judge" Judy Sheindlin found herself thrust into an unusual spotlight as she announced her endorsement for GOP contender Nikki Haley in the 2024 presidential race.

In a statement, Sheindlin, who helmed the popular reality court show for 25 years, declared that she is supporting the former South Carolina governor “because she is whip-smart, has executive credentials, and was a superb governor.”

"She has international gravitas as Ambassador to the United Nations. She is principled, measured, and has that elusive quality of real common sense.”

“I truly think she can restore America and believe she is the future of this great nation,” the statement further continued, according to the Daily Mail.

This marks Haley's first celebrity endorsement of the campaign, after receiving politically advantageous support from the influential Koch network and Republican governor of New Hampshire Chris Sununu.

The former UN ambassador thanked Judy for her endorsement, saying “Judge Judy is a no-nonsense lady who has earned the respect of millions of Americans from her courtroom by being thoughtful, fair, and honest. I'm honored to have her support.”

Judge Sheindlin previously supported former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who entered the Democratic race for a brief period, during the 2020 primaries.

Nikki Haley in the GOP race

Haley's performance in the first three Republican presidential primary debates helped her gain ground on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in recent surveys and Iowa polls, putting her in a strong second place behind former President Donald Trump.

"We can feel the momentum on the ground," Haley said in a Fox News interview this past weekend, adding "We can feel the excitement."

During her participation in a Fox News town hall on Monday, Haley highlighted her background in international policy and asserted that President Biden's actions are placing America in danger and making it "vulnerable."

She also accused both Trump and DeSantis of cherrypicking her comments on illegal immigration and Hillary Clinton to try and paint her as a liberal, suggesting her opponents are twisting her words because she's surging in the polls.

This came just a few days after Haley faced brutal backlash for refusing to admit slavery as the cause of the Civil War in a New Hampshire event.

Rather, she said the Civil War erupted due to the government's role. "I think the cause of the Civil War was basically how government was going to run," the GOP front-runner said.

Internet reacts to Judge Judy’s endorsement

After Judge Judy’s statement surfaced on social media, many users slammed her for endorsing GOP front-runner Nikki Haley.

“JJ is a comedian now?” one user trolled. “OMG, imagine believing anyone cares what Judge Judy has to say about anything 😂😂😂😂😂,” a second user mocked.

“Nobody should support Nikki Haley, except for democrats looking for an alternative to Biden,” a third user slammed, while a fourth one wrote “Why is it that anyone who touches "Hollywood" becomes poisoned.”

“Outside of the media and uni party, there is no real support for Haley. She'll bomb in Iowa. Then she'll get some contrived crossover votes in New Hampshire then fade away. To her corporate career,” a fifth user fumed.

Meanwhile, another user wrote “Her track record at predicting the next president is less than stellar.”

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