Doug Jones’ surprise victory over Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate race Tuesday night sparked instant ripple effects across social media, with many of Hollywood’s biggest stars expressing their joy at the result.
Chris Evans, Kerry Washington, Debra Messing, Helen Hunt, Joe Biden and Meghan McCain were among those pledging their support for the Democrat and thanking the people of Alabama for their vote.
“You’ve elected a man of incredible integrity, grit, and character. A fighter for working class and middle class Alabamians,” Biden said.
By 7 p.m. PT, the Associated Press had projected Jones as the narrow victor with 49.6 percent of the vote to Moore’s 48.8 percent, with almost 90 percent of precincts reporting. It marked the first Democratic Senate victory in a quarter century in the deep-red state of Alabama despite President Trump’s steadfast support for Moore.
Moore’s campaign was hampered by accusations by nine women that he made unwelcome sexual advances on them in the 1970s, when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s. One woman said she was 14 at the time.
“Will and Grace” star Messing called Jones’ victory “a Hanukkah miracle,” while “The View” co-host Meghan McCain (and daughter of Sen. John McCain) taunted former White House adviser and Moore backer Steve Bannon: “Suck it, Bannon.”
Actor and former Oscars host Billy Crystal challenged Trump to respond, asking: “What are you going to tweet now POTUS?”
Pakistan-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani politely told Moore to “go f— yourself. It’ll be the first time you’ll be doing that to someone your own age.”
President Trump also took to Twitter to diplomatically congratulate Jones, saying: “Congratulations to Doug Jones on a hard fought victory. The write-in votes played a very big factor, but a win is a win. The people of Alabama are great, and the Republicans will have another shot at this seat in a very short period of time. It never ends!”
While Moore has repeatedly and vehemently denied all the accusations against him, they cast a cloud over his campaign that prompted many top Republicans to distance themselves from the former judge.
See the tweets below.
Congratulations to Doug Jones on a hard fought victory. The write-in votes played a very big factor, but a win is a win. The people of Alabama are great, and the Republicans will have another shot at this seat in a very short period of time. It never ends!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2017
F-You #RoyMoore and the horse you rode in on! Congrats Alabama! Thank you!
#AlabamaSenateElection pic.twitter.com/APufAOCmT6— M.J. Mouton (@MJ_Mouton) December 13, 2017
I’d like to second this emotion. Asking for a couple of friends … #BurnItDownSis https://t.co/Uu0NtWFR1x
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) December 13, 2017
What are you going to tweet now potus? https://t.co/Keobk4TBUk
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) December 13, 2017
Alabama. I want to thank every single 1 of u who voted for #DougJones4Senate because today u voted for a more perfect union. A place where we ALL matter. God bless u. 🙏🏾
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) December 13, 2017
Suck it, Bannon
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) December 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/PattyArquette/status/940787456403755011
https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/940787408089497600
Charles Barkley finally won the championship!! @GDouglasJones
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) December 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/HelenHunt/status/940791725286678528
https://twitter.com/TheOrlandoJones/status/940790190456672257
YOU DID IT VOTERS!! YOU did it!! THANK YOU FOR VOTING!!! NO MORE MOORE #AlabamaSenate #resist
— Constance Zimmer (@ConstanceZimmer) December 13, 2017
This is a sad night for child molesters across the nation. But take heart, you still have the Whitehouse.
— Dave Foley (@DaveSFoley) December 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/ChrisEvans/status/940791316681814022
Doug Jones. Thank you, Alabama. You’ve elected a man of incredible integrity, grit, and character. A fighter for working class and middle class Alabamians. He is going to make you proud in the Senate.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/DebraMessing/status/940795285760069638
I have never in my life been so happy about something that happened in Alabama.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) December 13, 2017
From deepest depression to highest elation went I when the numbers for Ray Moore started to plummet as Doug Jones' started to soar!
— carl reiner (@carlreiner) December 13, 2017
Yo Roy Moore go find Luther Strange & get the Fuck out of everyones life.
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) December 13, 2017
THANK YOU #Alabama!!
— Mia Farrow 🏳️🌈 🌻🇺🇸💙 (@MiaFarrow) December 13, 2017
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world." – Margaret Mead
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) December 13, 2017
Thank you for restoring my faith in humanity, Alabama. And thank you for fighting for what’s right, @GDouglasJones.
And thank you to every volunteer who knocked on doors, made phone calls, and that worked tirelessly to make this happen.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/DebraMessing/status/940795285760069638
#DougJones has won the Alabama Senate seat vacated by #JeffSessions. I believe he will bring not just honor and pride to all the good citizens of Alabama, but a way forward to the decent jobs, education, and economy everyone wants.
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) December 13, 2017