Molly Parks

Washington Examiner

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and X CEO Elon Musk are trading barbs on social media after Musk took aim at Mamdani’s pick to lead the New York City Fire Department.

Mamdani tapped Lillian Bonsignore, a retired EMS chief and former EMT, to be his FDNY commissioner on Dec. 23. The move brought backlash from Musk, the former Department of Government Efficiency head who endorsed embattled former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) over Mamdani for mayor and has been critical of the Democratic Socialist since his campaign.

“People will die because of this. Proven experience matters when lives are at stake,” Musk wrote Dec. 26 on X about Bonsignore’s appointment.

Musk reposted a news clipping in his post that said Bonsignore had never served as a firefighter and that she would be the first openly gay commissioner of FDNY. Mamdani swung back at Musk’s assertion on Saturday, coming to Bonsignore’s defense.

“Experience does matter, which is why I appointed the person who spent more than 30 years at EMS. You know, the workforce that addresses at least 70% of all calls coming into FDNY?” Mamdani wrote on X.

Bonsignore told reporters she is ready for the job during a press conference announcing her appointment.

“I know the job. I know what the firefighters need, and I can translate that to this administration, who’s willing to listen,” Bonsignore said, per ABC7 NY. “I know what EMS needs; I’ve been EMS for 30 plus years.”

Bonsignore, who served in the FDNY for 31 years, has a respected leadership style comparable to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, according to the local ABC outlet. Mamdani has also elected to keep Tisch in her role for his administration.