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American actress Debra Messing shared multiple Instagram Stories about New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on November 4, the day of the election.
Disclaimer: This article mentions the word "jihadist." Readers' discretion is advised.
One such Story suggested that Mamdani is a “jihadist.” Originally posted by the @thepersianjewess account, it showed a digitally altered ballot paper which had two options: “A Democrat: Just a Democrat” and “An actual communist jihadist: A literal Karl Marx-quoting, America-hating jihadist.”
The original caption read:
“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 #ZohranMamdani.”
In the wake of her now-viral post, Debra Messing is facing backlash from her followers, including from writer Carey O’Donnell, who called her a “psychopath,” according to Entertainment Weekly.
This is not the first time the Will & Grace star has found herself amid a political controversy.
In March 2016, Messing engaged in a Twitter feud with fellow actress Susan Sarandon over their support for Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, respectively, in the Democratic presidential race.
At the time, Sarandon claimed that if Sanders lost the nomination to Clinton, she might consider voting for the Republican candidate, Donald Trump. While she later cleared the air by saying that she would never vote for Trump, Debra Messing called Susan out, asking why she didn’t use her platform to clarify her political views.
Exploring Debra Messing and Susan Sarandon’s 2016 Twitter battle
Nine years back, ahead of the 2016 presidential election, actresses Debra Messing and Susan Sarandon engaged in a Twitter beef over their chosen Democratic candidates. It began when Sarandon appeared on MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes and stated:
“I think a lot of people are like, ‘Sorry, I just can’t bring myself to vote for [Clinton].’ Some people feel Donald Trump will bring the revolution immediately.”
She also endorsed Bernie Sanders as her preferred Democratic candidate. Responding to her comment, Debra Messing wrote in a three-part tweet chain:
“1-What kind of revolution?! A WALL?! #ImWithHer, but if it's Bernie/ Trump, I will ABSOLUTELY support BS. 2- The idea that Susan Sarandon wud say that NOT supporting Hillary in a HRC/ Trump race is a legitimate choice for Democrats, is insane. 3- There are people who need protection, and Bernie or Hillary have that as a priority. Trump does not.”
Susan Sarandon chose to reply with a two-part tweet.
“@DebraMessing For those passionate, principled independents & first-time voters who would not be voting (1/2). @DebraMessing if it weren't for Sanders & whose interests HC doesn't represent, it is a dilemma. (2/2),” the Oscar winner wrote.
The Prey actress countered by saying that Sarandon was “not a first-time voter” and her position as a “lifelong advocate” for the underrepresented community mattered. Messing added that Susan’s voice was “powerful and influential”, and her stance “not clearly disavowing Trump” implied that she was considering him against Hillary Clinton.
Debra Messing concluded by claiming that Trump didn’t have people’s best interests at heart, while Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton had that “as a priority.”
Amid their heated online exchange, Sarandon also called out Messing for seemingly posting negative remarks about her. However, Susan later agreed to end the beef with the help of fellow actor Kathy Najimy.
“Alright @DebraMessing, report me to the homeroom teacher, and let’s STOP @kathynajimy,” the ‘Dead Man Walking’ star wrote.
Debra Messing denied ever insulting Susan Sarandon and instead accused her of doing the same to her.
“I repeat, I have never insulted you. You, however, have. Who’s the adult? Now, I'm done,” she wrote.
It is noteworthy that Hillary Clinton eventually ran against Donald Trump and lost the 2016 election.
More recently, Debra Messing has gone against Zohran Mamdani previously in the year. For instance, in June 2025, she wrote in an Instagram comment that she “voted against” the young politician because he allegedly “celebrated 9/11.” She also insisted she wasn’t Islamophobic but rather didn’t want a mayor who “sides with terrorists,” wants to “defund the police,” and has zero experience.
She is not the only one who has voiced her distrust of Zohran Mamdani.
U.S. President Donald Trump appeared on CBS News’ 60 Minutes over the weekend and urged New Yorkers to vote for the other Democratic candidate, Andrew Cuomo, instead of Zohran Mamdani, saying it was better to vote for a “bad Democrat” over a “communist.”
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Before that, Mamdani mocked Trump by saying that the POTUS was going through “stages of grief” after a period of “denial,” adding it wasn’t the endorsements but rather people’s choices that “made all the difference.”
As of writing, Zohran Mamdani has won the New York City mayoral election.
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