Debra Messing is facing fresh backlash over social media posts involving Muslim commentators, as online users question her portrayal of several political figures.
The controversy focuses on Messing's posts, with some online discussions accusing her of promoting anti-Muslim messaging. The situation has also renewed scrutiny of her political activism and past criticism of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
A Black woman in Detroit was assaulted, threatened, called n*gger, and robbed my multiple Arab Muslim men in what has become a viral event, and not one imam, Muslim community leader, or @CAIRNational official has said one word. Why?
— Dumisani Washington (@DumisaniTemsgen) September 20, 2026
Because Black people are ‘abeds’ to them and…
How the Controversy Took Shape
One Reddit user wrote that Messing had 'developed a terminal case of Hasan derangement syndrome' alongside what they described as her broader political views.
The phrase refers to Hasan Piker, a popular left-wing political streamer known for commentary on Israel, US foreign policy, and terrorism.
Another criticism addressed her decision to group Hasan Piker, Hasan Minhaj, Mehdi Hasan, Cenk Uygur, and Ana Kasparian in one image, implying they hold similar political views.
Messing depicted the five commentators with their mouths taped shut, alongside text accusing the 'Muslim elite media' of remaining silent about a Turkish crackdown on LGBT people.
An online user described the focus on LGBT rights when criticising Muslims as 'performative', arguing that this concern seems selective rather than genuine.
'Nothing makes people so aggressively performative about LGBT+ rights except when it comes for Muslims,' the user wrote.
'Like yes it's bad, but it's hilarious especially when real right wingers (not Messing, know she's a Zionist 'centrist') suddenly become massive allies because their racism and Islamophobia supersedes their hatred of gay people for a hot second.'
This depiction of a shared Muslim identity among the commentators is not entirely accurate.
Hasan Minhaj and Mehdi Hasan are Muslim, while Cenk Uygur identifies as an atheist but maintains a cultural connection to Islam.
Piker has described his identity as, 'I'm Muslim in America, Agnostic in Turkey'. Kasparian has publicly described herself as agnostic.
Another user wrote, 'The common denominator among them is that they're anti-genocide, not that they're Muslim'.
Messing's Mamdani Controversy
The recent backlash stems from Messing's widely publicised criticism of Mamdani during New York City's 2025 mayoral election.
Messing, who is Jewish and a prominent advocate for Israel, posted nearly 100 Instagram Stories criticising Mamdani.
These included a meme labelling him as an 'Actual Communist Jihadist' and another post referring to him as 'Osama bin Mamdani'. Many accused Messing of 'Islamophobia' in response.
Mamdani, on the other hand, is Muslim and an advocate for Palestinian rights. He was elected mayor of New York City in November 2026.
Career and Activism
Messing is best known for her role as Grace Adler on Will & Grace. She remains active in film, fashion and theatre, with recent appearances in The Alto Knights and the Off-Broadway production Shit. Meet. Fan.
She has maintained a long-standing connection to fashion, appearing on the cover of Vogue in 2003 in a feature photographed by Herb Ritts. Most recently, she attended Christian Siriano's New York Fashion Week show and described the event as 'fanciful and epic' on Instagram.
Her public profile extends beyond entertainment, as her political views often draw significant attention alongside her acting career.
Since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October, 2023, she has become more politically active and outspoken regarding Israel, antisemitism, and her Jewish heritage.
