Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Debra Messing Faces Backlash for Controversial Meme on Mayor-Elect

11/7/2025

50 4

Summary

Story summary

Debra Messing, the actress, faced backlash after sharing an Instagram meme that labeled New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani a "jihadist" on election day.
Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, won the election with 50.04% of the vote.
He became the city's first Muslim and Indian-American mayor.
Debra Messing supported Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani's opponent, and has been vocal about her political views after the October 2023 Hamas attack.

1 of 1

Story summary

Debra Messing, the actress, faced backlash after sharing an Instagram meme that labeled New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani a "jihadist" on election day.
Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, won the election with 50.04% of the vote.
He became the city's first Muslim and Indian-American mayor.
Debra Messing supported Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani's opponent, and has been vocal about her political views after the October 2023 Hamas attack.