Political Firestorm: Debra Messing Slammed for Sharing ‘Jihadist’ Meme Against Zohran Mamdani

Emmy-winning actress and prominent political voice Debra Messing has drawn significant social media backlash for sharing a highly inflammatory political meme on Election Day. The Will & Grace star reposted an image on her verified Instagram Story that attacked New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, labeling him an “actual communist jihadist” and a “literal Karl Marx-quoting, America-hating jihadist.” The inflammatory use of the term “jihadist,” often used to describe those who violently defend Islamic ideals, immediately sparked criticism from users who accused Messing of extremism and of having her “brain broken” by the political contest. This controversy highlights the increasing risk celebrities take when wading into charged political waters, particularly when using highly charged and racially-tinged language to attack a progressive candidate.

The Controversial Instagram Post: Labeling the Candidate

On Election Day, Debra Messing chose to amplify a controversial image from another social media account, targeting New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

The political meme, originally shared by an account called “The Persian Jewess,” featured an edited ballot. One option listed a candidate as “A Democrat. Just a Democrat,” while the opposition option labeled Mamdani as “An actual communist jihadist. A literal Karl Marx-quoting, America-hating jihadist.” The original caption urged New Yorkers to “make the right choice” and vote for another candidate, using the hashtag #ZohranMamdani to clearly identify the target of the attack. By reposting this image on her own verified Instagram Story, Messing effectively broadcast the inflammatory, unproven claim that the candidate was a “jihadist,” a term critics immediately noted was both baseless and deeply offensive.

The Swift and Angry Social Media Backlash

Messing’s action was met with immediate and harsh condemnation across social media platforms, with many users expressing shock at the severity of the language used.

The backlash was swift and unforgiving. Social media users slammed the actress for her decision to share a post that deployed a term often used to violently describe those who defend Islamic ideals, calling the language extreme and prejudiced. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “I think Zohran has actually broken her brain,” while another simply stated, “Debra Messing is a psychopath” in response to her public political behavior. The response underscored a clear belief that Messing had crossed a line in political discourse by using a term that holds serious, violent, and deeply offensive connotations to attack an opposing candidate.

Mamdani’s Political Rise and Public Scrutiny

The target of Messing’s attack, Zohran Mamdani, has become a buzzy yet polarizing figure in New York City politics, attracting attention from both the far-left and the far-right.

Mamdani, who is running as a Democrat and is the son of acclaimed film director Mira Nair, has attracted significant scrutiny for his progressive and sometimes socialist-leaning platform. He has been directly targeted by major conservative figures, including former President Donald Trump, who urged New Yorkers to vote against him, stating he would prefer a “bad Democrat” over a “communist.” Even some more moderate figures, like the cohosts of The View, have expressed “nervousness” over the candidate. Mamdani, however, has dismissed the conservative attacks, saying that Trump is simply “going through the stages of grief” regarding the political race, and noted that his campaign’s momentum came from the people of the city, not just endorsements.

The Cultural Impact: Race, Religion, and Politics

The controversy highlights the dangerous intersection of political rhetoric, religious insinuation, and racial identity in public discourse, particularly when wielded by a major celebrity.

Mamdani, a 34-year-old running as a Democrat, is poised to potentially become the city’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor, as well as its youngest in generations, according to the Associated Press. By sharing a post that invokes the term “jihadist”—a word that carries Islamophobic weight—Messing’s actions drew criticism not just for being political, but for being prejudiced against a candidate’s background. Her use of such charged language in the final hours of a high-stakes election has raised questions about responsible celebrity activism and the ethical limits of political attacks in the digital age.