Judge Judy Hits Campaign Trail for Nikki Haley

While former President Donald J. Trump enlists several former rivals to help him deliver a closing argument to New Hampshire primary voters, Nikki Haley, his last remaining Republican opponent, has approached a different kind of bench: Judge Judy.

Television’s best known judge, whose real name is Judith Sheindlin, waded into the race on Sunday when she campaigned for Ms. Haley at rally in Exeter, N.H., albeit minus her trademark gavel and robe.

It was a rare foray into presidential politics for Ms. Sheindlin, who told CNN on Sunday that Ms. Haley had made an strong impression on her.

She pointed out that she was supporting Ms. Haley, the former South Carolina governor and Mr. Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, simply because she was a woman.

“I would support her if she were a frog,” said Ms. Sheindlin, who supported Michael R. Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor, in his unsuccessful run in the 2020 Democratic primary.

Ms. Sheindlin avoided attacking Mr. Trump, the Republican front-runner, but she said he had too many distractions with his criminal and civil cases to focus on governing.

The television star argued that Mr. Trump and President Biden’s ages were catching up with them and that “they wouldn’t know a Houthi from a salami,” referring to the Iranian-backed militia in power in Yemen and a deli meat.

She said that even she — at 81, the same age as Mr. Biden — hasn’t been able to turn back time.

“I need a nap in the afternoon,” said Ms. Sheindlin. “So does Joe Biden, probably two.”