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Tech billionaire warns appointment could put lives at risk as supporters defend choice
Elon Musk has sharply criticised New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s decision to appoint Lillian Bonsignore as the next commissioner of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), arguing that her lack of frontline firefighting experience could have deadly consequences.
Responding to a video clip on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday night, Musk warned that the appointment was dangerous because Bonsignore has never served as a firefighter.
“People will die because of this,” Musk wrote. “Proven experience matters when lives are at stake.”
Background on the Appointment
Bonsignore is a 31-year veteran of the FDNY, having served as an emergency medical technician before retiring in 2022. If confirmed, she will become only the second woman to lead the FDNY and the first openly gay commissioner in the department’s history.
Her appointment has been endorsed by the three unions representing city firefighters, FDNY officers, and emergency medical services personnel.
Strong Reactions Online
Musk’s post quickly went viral, drawing more than 25 million views and over 184,000 likes within 24 hours, as critics and supporters debated the decision.
Several conservative commentators joined Musk in questioning the move:
- Megyn Kelly, a lawyer and media personality, remarked: “Here we go again.”
- Breanna Morello of Infowars wrote: “She’s never been a firefighter. You can’t put out fires with rainbow flags.”
- Eric Daugherty, chief content officer at RightLine News, described the appointment as “a freaking train wreck.”
Supporters Push Back
Others rushed to Bonsignore’s defense, pointing out that recent FDNY and NYPD leadership appointments have also come from outside traditional operational backgrounds.
Retired NYPD Lieutenant John Macari noted that the last two FDNY commissioners appointed under Mayor Eric Adams had no operational FDNY experience, adding:
“Lillian Bonsignore has 30 years of FDNY EMS experience. The overwhelming majority of calls handled by firefighters are EMS runs.”
Praise From Former FDNY Leadership
Former FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, the first woman to hold the role, publicly praised Bonsignore’s appointment on LinkedIn.
“When I was sworn in, I said it only meant something to be first if I wasn’t the last,” Kavanagh said. “Mayor-elect Mamdani has made a terrific choice, and the City and FDNY are lucky to have her.”
Kavanagh served as commissioner from February 2022 to August 2024 and also did not have direct firefighting experience prior to her appointment.
Transition Timeline
Bonsignore is expected to assume leadership of America’s largest fire department after Mamdani is sworn in on January 1.
Meanwhile, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams announced earlier this week that Mark Guerra, who had been serving as interim commissioner, would replace Robert Tucker, who resigned last month, to lead the department through the final days of the current administration.
Requests for comment from representatives of Bonsignore and Mayor-elect Mamdani were not immediately returned as of Saturday.
