Debra Messing faces backlash after sharing a meme calling NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani a “communist jihadist” on Election Day.
Will & Grace star Debra Messing is facing intense criticism after reposting a politically charged meme labeling New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani as a “communist jihadist” on Election Day.
The 57-year-old actress shared the meme—originally posted by the account The Persian Jewess—on her Instagram Stories as voters headed to the polls.
The edited image presented a mock ballot contrasting “A Democrat. Just a Democrat” with “An actual communist jihadist. A literal Karl Marx-quoting, America-hating jihadist,” alongside a caption urging New Yorkers to vote for former governor Andrew Cuomo “to save democracy.”
The post quickly sparked outrage, with many accusing Messing of spreading harmful rhetoric.
“I think Zohran has actually broken her brain,” one user wrote on X, echoing a wave of backlash directed at the actress.
Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo by 13 points in June’s Democratic primary, now faces Cuomo—running as an independent—and longtime Republican figure Curtis Sliwa in the contentious mayoral race.
President Donald Trump endorsed Cuomo a day before the election, adding fuel to the political fire.
Responding to Trump’s support, Mamdani posted a pointed remark on X: “Congratulations, @AndrewCuomo. I know how hard you worked for this.” Speaking to Jon Stewart on #The Daily Show#, he noted that traditional political endorsements are losing their influence.
“The days of endorsements deciding elections… those days have come to an end,” Mamdani said, emphasizing the power of grassroots organizing in his campaign’s rise.
Messing has not publicly responded to the backlash.
