Elon Musk called out NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s appointment of Lillian Bonsignore as the FDNY’s next commissioner, warning it could have deadly consequences because the former EMS chief lacks operational firefighting experience.
“People will die because of this,” the Tesla and Space X founder predicted on X Friday night, responding to a post with a video clip highlighting that Bonsignore has never fought fires.
“Proven experience matters when lives are at stake,” he added.
Bonsignore, a 31-year member of the FDNY as an emergency medical technician who retired in 2022, will be just the second woman to run New York’s Bravest in the department’s history. She is also an LGBTQ trailblazer who will serve as the FDNY’s first openly-gay commissioner.
The appointment has been endorsed by the three unions representing city firefighters, FDNY officers and medics.
Musk’s post had more than 22 million views during the first 17 hours it was online — and more than 174 likes — as many others have questioned the move.
“Here we go again,” quipped lawyer and longtime TV media personality Megyn Kelly.
However, Bonsignore also had plenty of supporters come to her defense.
“The last 2 FDNY Fire Commissioners appointed by [NYC Mayor] Eric Adams had 0 actual FDNY operational experience,” said retired NYPD Lt. John Macari, who co-hosts the “New York’s Finest: Retired & Unfiltered Podcast,”
“Eric Adams current NYPD Police Commissioner [Jessica Tisch] also has 0 Law Enforcement experience. Lillian Bonsignore has 30 years of FDNY EMS experience. The overwhelming majority of calls handled by firefighters are EMS runs.”
Former FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, who was the first woman to hold the title, praised Bonsignore’s hiring on LInkedIn.
“When I was sworn in, I said it only meant something to be first if I wasn’t the last. I’m so happy I didn’t have to wait long for that to be the case,” said Kavanagh who served as fire commissioner from Feb. 2022 to Aug, 2024 under Adams and also didn’t have firefighting experience.
“Mayor-elect Mamdani has made a terrific choice, and the City and FDNY are lucky to have her.”
Bonsignore will start heading America’s largest fire department after Mamdani is sworn in Jan.1.
She was appointed Tuesday as Mayor Eric Adams made a separate announcement naming his own new fire commissioner to run out the final days of his administration at City Hall.
Mark Guerra, who had been serving as interim commish, was named to replace Robert Tucker, who turned in his resignation last month.
Messages left with Bonsignore and Mamdani’s reps were not immediately returned Saturday.
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