Zohran Mamdani pushes back at Elon Musk over appointment of 1st openly gay FDNY commissioner

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani fired back at Elon Musk on Saturday, December 27, after the tech billionaire blasted Mamdani’s choice to lead the Fire Department of New York. 

“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 posted on X.

Mamdani’s response came after Musk slammed the appointment of Lillian Bonsignore, a longtime Emergency Medical Services leader, insisting the decision would have deadly consequences.

“People will die because of this. Proven experience matters when lives are at stake,” Musk warned on X.

The former White House adviser has repeatedly targeted Mamdani in recent weeks, often alongside Trump administration officials who have condemned the mayor-elect’s policy proposals aligned with democratic socialism.

The latest clash followed Mamdani’s announcement Friday that Bonsignore would take over as fire commissioner.

Who is Lillian Bonsignore?

Bonsignore, 56, was born and raised in the Bronx and is set to make history as New York City’s first openly gay fire commissioner and the second woman to lead the FDNY, according to Fox 5. She follows Laura Kavanagh, who previously held the role.

A veteran of emergency medical services, Bonsignore previously served as the FDNY’s chief of EMS and led the city’s emergency medical response during the COVID-19 pandemic. She came out of retirement to accept the commissioner role.

While she does not have a firefighting background, Bonsignore emphasized her decades-long experience on the medical side of the department.

“I know what the firefighters need, and I can translate that to this administration, who’s willing to listen,” she said. “I know what EMS needs. I have been EMS for 30-plus years. And now you have a commissioner that could start an IV.”

Bonsignore is slated to take command of the nation’s largest fire department once Mamdani is sworn in on January 1.

Kavanagh, the first woman to hold the post, publicly backed Bonsignore’s appointment in a LinkedIn post.

“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 February 2022 to August 2024 under Mayor Eric Adams and also did not have a firefighting background.

“Mayor-elect Mamdani has made a terrific choice, and the City and FDNY are lucky to have her,” Kavanagh added.

Dueling announcements at City Hall

The rollout of Bonsignore’s appointment came amid a separate announcement from outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who named his own fire commissioner to serve out the final days of his administration.

On Tuesday, Adams appointed Mark Guerra, who had been serving as interim commissioner, to replace Robert Tucker, who resigned last month. A spokesperson for the mayor said the timing of Adams’ announcement was not intended to overshadow Mamdani’s decision.

Adams himself rejected suggestions that the move was political. “Activities that take place in the police department and all of our public safety apparatus don’t go on holiday,” Adams said. “They don’t stop.” 

Mamdani also downplayed the competing announcements, noting that Adams remains mayor until the end of his term.

“Lillian’s light is one that can’t be dimmed by anything else that takes place,” Mamdani said. “The mayor is free to continue to be the mayor until the end of this year and make decisions as such.”

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