Will & Grace star Debra Messing faces backlash after sharing meme branding NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani a ‘jihadist’
Mamdani, elected Tuesday (4 November), has promised support for LGBTQ+ rights and trans healthcare in a significant US milestone
By Callum Wells
Will & Grace star Debra Messing has faced backlash after sharing a political meme on Instagram that appeared to describe newly elected New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani as a “jihadist”.
The post, reshared from an account called Persian Jewess on Monday (4 November) – the day of the NYC mayoral election – showed a voter filling out a fake ballot with two options. The first read: “A Democrat. Just a democrat.” The second stated: “An actual communist jihadist. A literal Karl Marx-quoting, America-hating jihadist.”
The original meme was 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,” accompanied by the hashtag #ZohranMamdani.
“I truly hope Debra Messing never gets hired for anything ever again” – one fan wrote online
Messing’s repost prompted widespread criticism on social media, with some users calling her a “racist” and an “idiot”.
One wrote: “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.” Another added: “That was some sort of journey she has posted on her story. I would say meltdown isn’t quite enough of a strong word.”
Messing posted at least 90 Stories throughout the day, though it is unclear whether all were related to the election.
The actress previously revealed she voted early for Andrew Cuomo on October 25. In a statement about her vote, she wrote: “I voted for Andrew Cuomo because we need someone with experience to bring our city back to what it should be – safe, the thriving financial center of the world, more low-cost housing, more police to make our streets and subways safe for everyone. A social worker cannot help someone who is stabbed in the subway.” She also questioned Mamdani’s readiness for the role, citing his age, 34, and perceived lack of practical experience.
Despite criticism, Mamdani won the mayoral race, defeating former Governor Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and Republican Curtis Silwa.
Zohran Mamdani has also promised support for LGBTQ+ rights and trans healthcare
He has pledged to pursue initiatives including universal childcare, fast and free buses, and freezing rent hikes for tenants in rent-stabilised units. His platform also highlights affordability measures such as a $30 minimum wage, more affordable housing, and higher taxes on the city’s wealthiest residents.
Mamdani has also promised support for LGBTQ+ rights and trans healthcare in a significant US milestone.
He wrote on social media ahead of his election: “Queer and trans people across the United States are facing an increasingly hostile political environment.
“New York City must be a refuge for LGBTQIA+ people, but private institutions in our own city have already started capitulating to Donald Trump’s assault on trans rights.”
Mamdani has pledged to expand and protect gender‑affirming care, proposing investing around $65 million in trans healthcare providers: “Meanwhile, the cost of living crisis confronting working‑class people across the city hits the LGBTQIA+ community particularly hard, with higher rates of unemployment and homelessness than the rest of the city,” he wrote in a social media post.