ASHLEY Judd blasted the “misogynistic savages” who mocked her “puffy” cheeks in a recent presidential campaign ad.
The American actress was featured in a campaign video supporting Democratic presidential hopeful and environmental advocate Elizabeth Warren earlier this week.
But Warren’s campaign ad prompted harsh criticism from social media users regarding Ashley’s physical appearance and “puffy” face.
Ashley, 51, wrote to Facebook on Friday: “Healthy self-esteem. Good boundaries. Unshakable knowledge of self.
“These things are essential when I wake up & learn from caring friends that my appearance has been trending on Twitter.
“The misogynistic savages of both sexes have come out, as have plenty of folks who empathize and see it for what it is (woman bashing).
“I find it a gendered way to distract from my political speech: the hate happened in response to a video in support of the Presidential candidate of my choice.”
The ad, which obtained nearly one million views on Twitter, was shared by Warren on Tuesday, February 11.
Warren wrote alongside the video: “My friend Ashley Judd made a few calls to people who chipped in a few dollars to our campaign. I’m proud that our campaign is grassroots—built by people, not Super PACs or billionaires.”
The following day, Ashley’s name was trending on Twitter, along with prednisone – a drug used to treat various medical conditions and includes fluid retention, swelling as a side effect.
One critic tweeted that the actress’ face looked like “she used bee stings instead of Botox and fillers.”
Another tweeted: “What has the once beautiful Ashley Judd done to herself? Good lord, she’s puffy!”
Many social media users posted cruel comments and questioned what had happened to Ashley’s face.
However, not everyone had something negative to say.
Some Twitter users took to Ashley’s defense, with one user tweeting: “I used to be on prednisone years ago for my Ulcerative Colitis and my face would get so puffy too. These people making fun of her have no idea what health issues she could have.”
Another said: “So many comments under this post are breathtakingly mean.
“I hope Ms. Judd doesn’t even read them. What kind of community is created by people this cruel & who the hell wants to live in it?”
In Ashley’s Facebook essay, she explained how she has been suffering with “siege migraines” for more than a year.
Botox is a “standard treatment for the ailment that I experience,” she added.
Ashley, admitted she was hesitant to disclose her Botox treatment, but she wanted to be honest in the public message.
She wrote: “What I know is that misogynists on Twitter have been slaughtering me compared to my pre-weight gain idealized self.
“My conventionally thin, athletic, “pretty” AcroYoga body, and more slender face, is merely the flip side of the same patriarchal coin.”
She said her weight gain comes after a neurologist pain specialist banned her from all forms of exercise except for mild walking.
The hate against Ashley stemmed from the video of her supporting Warren, 70, in the 2020 US Presidential Race.
Warren is reported to have said she would be a strong candidate against Trump because of her position on the economy and her support among female voters.
