• Judge Greg Mathis addressed Judge Joe Brown’s disrespectful comments about his wife Linda Reese Mathis, suggesting dementia may be affecting Brown.
• The feud erupted after Brown called Kamala Harris derogatory names, prompting Mathis to warn him against targeting his wife similarly.
• Mathis and Linda recently reconciled their marriage after she filed for divorce in August 2024, making her defense even more personal.

DETROIT, Mich. (TDR) — Television judge Greg Mathis defended his wife Linda Reese Mathis after fellow TV jurist Judge Joe Brown made disrespectful remarks about her following a warning not to cross that line. In a recent interview with The Art of Dialogue, Mathis addressed Brown’s comments while questioning whether age-related cognitive decline might explain his behavior.

Warning ignored, line crossed

The feud began when Brown made disparaging comments about Vice President Kamala Harris during a July 2024 interview with The Art of Dialogue, calling her a “piece of sh**” and an “old h*e.” Mathis publicly defended Harris and warned Brown not to make similar remarks about his wife. Brown took that warning as a challenge.

“The man put my wife’s name in his mouth in the context of a he when I had mentioned him calling [Kamala Harris] a he, and I said he better not say it about my wife,” Mathis said in his recent interview. Brown responded by speculating, “Well, I don’t know if his wife is a h*e or not. If she takes money, she might be.”

Judge Mathis responds to Judge Joe Brown for disrespecting his wife and calling her a H*e

(🎥: The Art Of Dialogue/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/J8xZFz9pnM

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) October 16, 2025

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10

Questioning Brown’s mental state

Mathis questioned whether Brown’s behavior indicated cognitive decline, noting the 79-year-old’s age. “Who talks like that and not have any fear? I would have fear of saying that, and as I just told you, I’m fearless,” Mathis said. “So I think something’s wrong. The man is near 80, which is about the time dementia sets in if you’re going to get it.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE THE DUPREE REPORT

He added, “If you think about it long enough, folks in that age group, 80 or more, those that talk crazy, you hear ’em talk crazy all the time.”

Lions don’t fight monkeys

Despite his strong words, Mathis attempted to take the high road. “If Judge Brown felt that I disrespected him when I responded to his attack, I apologize,” he began. “Because that’s not what I wanted to do. Quite frankly, I don’t want to fight him. I don’t want to go back and forth.”

In another clip, Mathis used a memorable metaphor to explain his position: “Lions don’t fight monkeys, it’s unfair.” He made clear he wouldn’t allow disparaging public remarks about his family to pass without response, challenging Brown to “come say it to me” if he has something to say.

Fresh reconciliation makes it personal

The timing of Brown’s comments makes them particularly sensitive for Mathis, as he and Linda recently reconciled after she filed for divorce in August 2024. The couple separated for three weeks before calling off the divorce, though they waited until October 2025 to speak publicly about their reconciliation.

In an exclusive interview with The Tamron Hall Show, Mathis described the separation as devastating. “They were devastating, and felt like I did when I lost my mother. That’s the feeling I had. And I’d do anything to get my mother back. So I did anything to get my wife back,” he said.

Linda cited irreconcilable differences when filing, listing their separation date as July 17. The two have been married for 39 years since tying the knot on June 1, 1985. They share four children: Jade, 39, Camara, 36, Greg Jr., 35, and Amir, 34.

Pattern of controversial remarks

Brown has a history of making inflammatory statements about public figures. During his July 2024 Art of Dialogue interview, he accused Harris of lacking “professional competence” as a California lawyer and claimed she had a reputation for being “lazy” among trial lawyers. He also suggested she might have “early onset dementia” and “menopausal complications.”

The comments sparked widespread backlash on social media, with critics noting Brown’s selective targeting of Black women in power while remaining “quiet as church mice” about critics on the political right.

Mathis has built his reputation on a long-running courtroom show and advocacy for respect and dignity. His self-titled TV court show ran for 24 seasons until 2023, when he launched “Mathis Court With Judge Mathis.” He also starred in the family reality series that showcased personal moments with Linda and their children.

Should television personalities face consequences when personal feuds turn into public character attacks on family members?

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10