Actress and activist Debra Messing is facing major backlash online after posting what many called a “disrespectful and tone-deaf” message aimed at supporters of newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The Will & Grace star, known for her outspoken political views, appeared to mock voters celebrating Mamdani’s historic victory — sparking a social media firestorm that has yet to cool down.
Moments after Mamdani’s surprise win was announced on Tuesday night, Messing took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a now-deleted message that read: “Good luck fixing your city with slogans and socialism.” The remark came just as supporters flooded the streets of Queens in celebration of the first South Asian–born mayor in NYC history.
Within minutes, screenshots of her post went viral. “Debra Messing just insulted every progressive New Yorker who voted for change,” one user wrote. “She’s the reason people don’t trust Hollywood liberals.”
Debra Messing faces fierce backlash after mocking Zohran Mamdani voters: “Good luck fixing your city with slogans and socialism.” @BBCWorld
Critics accused Messing of hypocrisy, pointing out that the actress has long branded herself a champion of social justice causes. “She was marching for equality one day and sneering at young voters the next,” said activist María Torres. “You can’t preach compassion and then attack people for wanting systemic change.”
Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and state assemblyman from Queens, won the mayoral race in a landslide after running on a platform of housing reform and healthcare access. His victory, described by The New York Times as “a political earthquake,” marked a generational shift in the city’s leadership. Many of his supporters saw Messing’s post as emblematic of an out-of-touch elite clinging to the old guard.
“She represents exactly what Mamdani’s campaign fought against — entitlement, privilege, and performative empathy,” one commenter wrote on Reddit. “It’s disappointing but not surprising.”
“Debra Messing just gave us the perfect example of liberal elitism in real time.” — NYC voter @guardian
Messing, 56, has since deleted the tweet and issued a brief apology via Instagram Stories, writing: “I let my frustration get the best of me. I wish the new mayor and his supporters well.” But the damage was already done. Screenshots of her original message have been shared more than 80,000 times, and her name began trending under the hashtag #DebraMessingIsOverParty.
Among those who responded directly was Mamdani himself, who took the high road, tweeting: “I welcome criticism, but I also welcome everyone to join us in building a fairer New York — no matter how they voted.” His post quickly amassed more likes than Messing’s apology, with many calling it “a masterclass in grace.”
“He handled it better than anyone else could,” wrote journalist Claire Hanley. “Messing’s insult just made him look even more dignified.”
“I welcome everyone to join us in building a fairer New York.” — Mayor Zohran Mamdani responds to Debra Messing @CNN
But some of Messing’s supporters defended her, arguing that she was expressing legitimate frustration with what they see as “unrealistic” political promises. “She’s allowed to have an opinion,” one fan wrote. “Not everyone agrees with socialism, even in Hollywood.”
Still, the tone of her message — posted as Mamdani’s supporters were cheering in the streets — struck many as unnecessarily cruel. “There’s a difference between criticism and condescension,” said political analyst Dr. Henry Lawson. “Her timing and wording turned what could’ve been a thoughtful debate into a public relations disaster.”
The backlash mirrors a growing divide among liberal celebrities and grassroots progressives — a rift that has deepened since the 2024 election cycle. “It’s not the first time a famous voice has alienated the very movement they claim to support,” wrote columnist Eliot Grant. “But this one feels particularly raw because of how personal it is to New Yorkers.”
“Debra Messing’s arrogance shows why people are turning away from performative activism.” — Political analyst @Reuters
Meanwhile, Mamdani’s victory has been heralded as a watershed moment for immigrant representation in American politics. The 33-year-old Ugandan-born politician told Al Jazeera that he plans to make housing justice his top priority. “We’re not here to divide,” he said during his acceptance speech. “We’re here to remind people that compassion and progress are not opposites.”
Messing has not made any further public statements since her apology, but insiders told TMZ that she’s “shocked” by the intensity of the reaction. “She thought she was making a political point — not lighting a firestorm,” a friend said.
Still, the actress’s reputation as one of Hollywood’s “woke icons” may never fully recover. “You can’t champion empathy one day and mock it the next,” one user wrote on TikTok. “We’re done taking lectures from people who think activism means tweeting from the hills of Beverly Hills.”
For Mamdani, the controversy may have had an unintended upside — turning him into a symbol of calm leadership amid chaos. “She lost her temper,” one journalist wrote. “He kept his dignity. That’s what voters will remember.”
“She deleted her tweet. He rose above it. The difference says everything.” @ABC
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear — a single tweet has reignited a much larger conversation about class, privilege, and the performative edge of celebrity activism. “This wasn’t just a bad post,” said one voter outside City Hall. “It was a wake-up call. The people are done being talked down to.”