Mamdani Slams Elon Musk’s "Ignorant" Criticism of FDNY Chief Pick

New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) has rejected Elon Musk’s criticism that his choice to lead the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) lacks experience, Ashleigh Fields reported for The Hill.

The announcement of Bonsignore’s appointment triggered the latest backlash, as she is set to become New York City’s first openly gay fire commissioner and the second woman to lead the department. (Photo: New York City Government)

“Experience does matter, which is why I appointed the person who spent more than 30 years at EMS—the workforce that addresses at least 70% of all calls coming into FDNY,” Mamdani wrote in a post on the social media platform X.

His response followed an earlier post by Musk claiming that people would “die” because of the appointment of Lillian Bonsignore, a veteran Emergency Medical Services leader.

“People will die because of this. Proven experience matters when lives are at stake,” wrote Musk, the tech billionaire and former White House adviser, on the platform he owns.

Critics said Musk “doesn’t know whereof he speaks” and should refrain from commenting on FDNY leadership matters.

Musk has repeatedly attacked Mamdani alongside Trump administration officials who oppose the mayor-elect’s democratic socialist-aligned policy proposals.

The announcement of Bonsignore’s appointment triggered the latest backlash, as she is set to become New York City’s first openly gay fire commissioner and the second woman to lead the department, according to Fox 5.

New York City leaders noted that previous police commissioners and FDNY chiefs had no direct departmental experience, yet faced no similar criticism from Musk, the New York Daily News reported.