A week of election night drama in New York City has ended with a political earthquake — and a social media firestorm aimed squarely at one of Hollywood’s most outspoken celebrities.
Actress Debra Messing, best known for her role on Will & Grace, is facing major backlash online after spending days attacking mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old democratic socialist who became the city’s first Muslim mayor in a stunning victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Messing’s social media activity in the final stretch before Election Day drew widespread criticism from followers and political observers alike, many accusing the actress of crossing the line with incendiary remarks.
A Week of Escalating Posts
In the week leading up to Mamdani’s win, Messing used her Instagram Stories to share and repost more than 40 videos, most of which were sharply critical of the rising political star.
Roughly half of the clips directly targeted New York voters, urging them to back Cuomo instead of what she called “a dangerous experiment.”
Among the content she amplified were posts referring to Mamdani as “an actual communist jihadist… a literal Karl Marx-quoting, America-hating jihadist.” Another compared the Ugandan-born politician to the mastermind of the September 11th terror attacks, calling him “Osama Bin Mamdani.”
The rhetoric marked one of the most intense celebrity interventions in a local race in years — and it backfired almost immediately.
Followers began to push back, accusing Messing of fearmongering and Islamophobia. “Your soul has gone sour and it’s embarrassing to watch,” one Instagram user wrote. Others called her posts “sad” and “deeply out of touch.”
Public Reaction Turns Against Her
By the time polls closed Tuesday night, Mamdani had secured 50.4% of the vote, defeating Cuomo’s comeback attempt in what analysts called the highest voter turnout since 1969.
The result — and the online blowback — left Messing on the defensive. Social media platforms quickly filled with criticism of her tone, with users describing her comments as “obsessive” and “borderline hateful.”
“I think Zohran has actually broken her brain,” one user wrote on X. “Although it wasn’t in great shape before this mayoral election anyway.”
Others expressed disappointment that the Emmy-winning actress, long known for progressive activism, had adopted rhetoric they viewed as mirroring the same kind of demonization she had once spoken out against.
As of Wednesday morning, Messing’s official representatives had not responded to media requests for comment.
Messing’s Endorsement of Cuomo Draws Fire
Messing had made clear early on that she supported Andrew Cuomo, despite the former governor’s long list of political and personal controversies.
Just days before the election, she posted that she had already voted early for Cuomo, writing:
“Our city is too massive, complex, and consequential for a young and inexperienced politician to lead it.”
That endorsement quickly reignited public debate over Cuomo’s past scandals.
Cuomo resigned in 2021 after a state investigation found he had created a “sexually hostile work environment” and harassed multiple women. More than a dozen women came forward with allegations of unwanted touching and inappropriate comments.
Messing’s embrace of Cuomo drew disbelief from some of her followers, who argued that supporting him over Mamdani — a relatively new face in city politics — was hypocritical.
“With all the sexual allegations and the crimes that he’s committed, I would never vote for Cuomo,” one user commented. “He’s old, outdated. We need someone new and fresh.”
Mamdani’s Victory Speech Strikes a Defiant Tone
In his victory speech just after midnight, Mayor-elect Mamdani appeared to address both his critics and the wave of personal attacks that had defined the campaign’s final days.
“The conventional wisdom would tell you that I am far from the perfect candidate,” Mamdani told cheering supporters. “I am young, despite my best efforts to grow older. I am Muslim. I am a democratic socialist. And most damning of all, I refuse to apologize for any of this.”
The speech drew applause across progressive circles and condemnation from some conservative commentators, who warned that the city’s new direction could push New York further left than ever before.
Mamdani, an assemblyman representing Astoria, Queens, ran on a platform emphasizing affordable housing, expanded public transit, and police reform. His campaign was heavily backed by grassroots organizations and younger voters, who turned out in record numbers.
A Clash Between Hollywood and the New Left
The backlash against Messing has reignited a broader debate about the role of celebrities in politics — particularly when their influence clashes with the progressive movements they often champion.
In recent years, Messing has positioned herself as a vocal defender of liberal causes, frequently engaging in political debates online. But her comments about Mamdani revealed a sharp divide within Democratic ranks — between the party’s traditional establishment and a younger, more radical left.
Observers say her remarks highlight a growing generational and ideological rift among progressives, especially when it comes to foreign policy and issues of religion.
Political analyst Shira Klein told UNILAD, “Messing’s reaction reflects an older strain of liberalism that sees socialism and criticism of Israel as inherently dangerous. But to younger progressives, figures like Mamdani represent a new kind of politics.”
A Movement Bigger Than One Race
While Mamdani’s victory represents a local political milestone, analysts say it could carry national implications heading into 2026.
His success comes at a moment when voters in major U.S. cities are increasingly receptive to left-wing platforms that challenge traditional party leadership.
“New York just elected someone who proudly identifies as a socialist and Muslim — that’s historic,” said Dr. Leonard Grant, a political science professor at NYU. “But it also puts pressure on national Democrats to figure out how to unify around such diverse factions.”
Messing’s comments, meanwhile, have become a case study in how quickly public opinion can turn against celebrity activism.
Within hours of the election results, several hashtags critical of the actress — including #DebraMessingMeltdown and #OsamaBinMamdani — were trending simultaneously on X.
Cuomo’s Political Future in Question
For Andrew Cuomo, the election marked another setback in an ongoing struggle to return to public life after his resignation.
Despite strong name recognition and deep roots in New York politics, Cuomo failed to regain the trust of voters who once propelled him to three consecutive terms as governor.
He conceded quietly late Tuesday night, saying only, “The people have spoken, and I respect their decision.”
Whether Cuomo attempts another comeback remains uncertain, though analysts note that his loss to a political newcomer could mark the end of an era in New York Democratic politics.
Looking Ahead
As for Debra Messing, her comments have ignited a fierce debate — not just about Mamdani’s policies, but about how Americans talk about faith, identity, and ideology in politics.
For some, her posts reflected lingering fear and trauma connected to terrorism and geopolitical conflict. For others, they symbolized the danger of painting political opponents with broad, inflammatory strokes.
By Wednesday afternoon, Messing’s social media pages remained active, but several of her posts appeared to have been deleted.
The conversation, however, shows no sign of slowing down — and the divide it exposed within Hollywood and the Democratic Party may linger far longer than the election itself.
Sarah Mitchell is a bestselling novelist recognized for her insightful and emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sarah grew up in a family of teachers who nurtured her curiosity and love for storytelling. She studied psychology at Stanford University, where she became fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior—an interest that would later shape her writing career. Sarah’s novels are praised for their nuanced characters, intricate plots, and ability to capture the subtle tensions that define love, friendship, and family ties. Her breakthrough novel, The Spaces Between Us, became an instant bestseller, lauded for its honest portrayal of strained family relationships and the fragile bonds that hold people together. Since then, she has published several works that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Outside of her writing career, Sarah is passionate about mental health advocacy and often partners with organizations to promote awareness and support for those struggling with emotional well-being. Her personal life is quieter—she enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains, practicing yoga, and spending time with close friends. With each new book, Sarah Mitchell cements her reputation as a writer who illuminates the beauty and struggles of human connection.
