Debra Messing Faces Backlash for Controversial Post on Zohran Mamdani

Debra Messing, known for her role in the iconic sitcom Will & Grace, has come under fire for sharing posts deemed “racist” concerning Zohran Mamdani, who was recently elected as the Mayor of New York City on November 4, 2025. Mamdani, at 34, is the youngest mayor in the city’s history since 1892 and the first Muslim to hold the office. His victory speech emphasized his commitment to protecting transgender rights and supporting the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting a progressive agenda.

Following Mamdani’s election, Messing’s social media activity drew significant attention. Reports indicate she posted on her Instagram stories a staggering 91 times within a 24-hour period leading up to the election. Many users on social media noted this unusual surge in activity, with one observer commenting, “Not an exaggeration. I think Zohran has actually broken her brain.”

Among the controversial content Messing shared were posts that included a meme listing “things we don’t see Jews doing,” with inflammatory references to violence and domination. This particular post sparked outrage, prompting criticism from various quarters regarding the implications of her statements.

Messing also amplified posts from former President Donald Trump that criticized Mamdani, including a message suggesting that any Jewish person voting for Mamdani was “a proven and self-professed JEW HATER.” Such statements have fueled accusations of racism against Messing, who has previously advocated for Jewish and Israeli causes.

The controversy escalated when Messing shared a meme labeling Mamdani as a “jihadist.” This meme was created by an Instagram account that juxtaposed Mamdani against former New York Mayor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent candidate and received 41% of the vote amid allegations of sexual harassment. The caption of the meme asserted that the mayoral race was about “the battle for Democracy itself,” urging voters to make the right choice.

Critics quickly condemned Messing’s posts as racially charged. One user on X/Twitter expressed their hope that she would never work again due to her derogatory comments about Mamdani, labeling her as a “deeply racist person.” Another user remarked on the importance of not giving attention to such racist sentiments, while others, including the drag queen Katya Zamalodchikova, joined in the criticism.

As the backlash continued to grow, Messing has not publicly addressed the criticism or her posts about Mamdani. Requests for comment have been made to her representatives, but as of now, there has been no official response.

The incident underscores the heightened scrutiny public figures face on social media, particularly in politically charged environments. The reaction to Messing’s posts serves as a reminder of the complex intersection of celebrity, race, and politics in contemporary discourse.