Debra Messing Faces Backlash for Sharing Post Calling NYC Mayoral Candidate a “Jihadist”

Actor Debra Messing is facing widespread criticism after sharing a political meme on social media yesterday that labeled New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani a “jihadist.”

The 57-year-old television star posted the image to her Instagram Stories as voting was underway in the mayoral race. The original post, originating from the account The Persian Jewess, depicted a ballot with Mamdani described as “an actual communist jihadist. A literal Karl Marx-quoting, America-hating jihadist.” The post urged voters to support former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, framing the election as “the battle for Democracy itself.”

Social media users quickly condemned Messing for amplifying the offensive content. Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo by 13 points in the Democratic primary before Cuomo re-entered the race as an independent, responded to former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Cuomo with a pointed message on X, stating, “Congratulations, @AndrewCuomo. I know how hard you worked for this.” He previously discussed the diminishing influence of endorsements in modern campaigns, telling Jon Stewart of The Daily Show, “What we showed…was that the days of endorsements deciding elections, those days have come to an end.” This incident highlights the potential for misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric to spread rapidly during election cycles.

The controversy comes as New Yorkers decide between Mamdani, Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa for the city’s highest office. Further statements from Messing or the Mamdani campaign are anticipated as the election results are tallied and certified by the New York City Board of Elections.