Actress Debra Messing is facing widespread backlash after sharing social media posts that many have condemned as Islamophobic toward New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
The Will & Grace star reposted memes and videos calling Mamdani a “jihadist” in the days leading up to his historic election win.
Her Instagram stories have been filled with anti-Mamdani content over the past week, with the actress posting more than 40 videos on the day of the election, UNILAD reported.
Highlights
- Debra Messing faced backlash for sharing over 40 Islamophobic posts against NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani on election day.
- Zohran Mamdani won NYC mayor with 50.4% votes, becoming the city’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor.
- Messing reposted memes calling Mamdani a 'communist jihadist' and shared a Trump post labeling him a 'Jew hater.'
Social media users have called Debra Messing's posts against Zohran Mamdani "Islamophobic"
Image credits: John Lamparski/Getty Images
Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, won with 50.4% of the vote against former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the highest turnout poll since 1969.
With his win, Mamdani became New York’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor.
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa finished a distant third in the race.
Messing shared several memes on her Instagram stories describing Mamdani as “an actual communist jihadist” and “Osama Bin Mamdani.”
Image credits: Reddit
One post urged New Yorkers to “vote no to terrorism.”
Entertainment Weekly reported that Messing re-posted a meme suggesting Mamdani is “An Actual Communist Jihadist… A literal Karl Marx-quoting, America-hating jihadist.”
The original image was posted by an account called thepersianjewess, captioned “This isn’t just a mayoral race. It’s the battle for Democracy itself. New York City, make the right choice. Vote for [Andrew] Cuomo. Vote for NYC. Vote for Democracy.”
Instagram stories are designed to disappear after 24 hours. It is not clear whether Messing deleted the stories before they expired or if they simply vanished as part of the platform’s cycle.
The actress posted over 40 videos against Mamdani on the day of the election
Image credits: Reddit
On October 25, Messing said on Instagram that she voted for Cuomo because New Yorkers “need someone with experience” and that “our city is too massive, complex, and consequential” for Mamdani, who “has never held a job.”
The Jewish actress has since reshared posts criticizing Mamdani’s support for Palestine.
Image credits: Reddit
She re-shared a Truth Social post by President Donald Trump where he called Mamdani a “JEW HATER.”
Mamdani has been a strong advocate for Palestinian rights since his university days. He has also participated in boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) campaigns against Israel.
The Instagram stories described Mamdani as “an actual communist jihadist” and “Osama Bin Mamdani"
Image credits: Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images
However, he has also addressed the rise in antisemitism in New York, and said anti-Jewish prejudice was “a real issue in our city.”
He has rejected claims that he is antisemitic and publicly condemned acts of terrorism, including the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.
Image credits: Reddit
Critics on X and Instagram have accused the Emmy-winning actor of promoting Islamophobia and spreading hate.
“I truly hope Debra Messing never gets hired for anything ever again. The way she was calling Zohran a jihadist. The day OF the election. Just a deeply racist person,” one user said.
In his victory speech at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater on November 4, Mamdani addressed criticism of his identity.
Image credits: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
“The conventional wisdom would tell you that I am far from the perfect candidate. I am young, despite my best efforts to grow older. I am Muslim. I am a democratic socialist,” he said.
“And most damning of all, I refuse to apologize for any of this.”
Mamdani has pledged to make New York more affordable, expand access to healthcare, introduce universal childcare, and protect LGBTQ+ rights. His campaign platform includes free public buses and rent freezes for tenants in stabilized housing.
Messing, who has been a vocal supporter of Israel, has faced controversy before for her political statements.