SpaceX CEO Elon Musk reportedly issued a blunt warning Friday after New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani announced plans to appoint a Fire Department commissioner who has never served as a firefighter, saying the decision could cost lives.
Musk reacted on X after Mamdani revealed Tuesday that he intends to appoint Lillian Bonsignore, the city’s former emergency medical services chief and a longtime EMT, to lead the FDNY when he takes office in 2027. Bonsignore would become the first openly gay commissioner in the department’s history.
The criticism from Musk came in response to a post by the X account @TheChiefNerd, which shared a quote from a news clip highlighting that Bonsignore had never served as a firefighter but expressed confidence that it would not matter. Musk responded directly, writing, “People will die because of this.” He added, “Proven experience matters when lives are at stake.”
The remarks immediately drew attention, injecting a national voice into a local debate over leadership, qualifications, and public safety in America’s largest city. Musk’s comment reflected a broader concern voiced by critics who argue that operational experience as a firefighter is essential for overseeing one of the most complex and demanding fire departments in the world.
Bonsignore previously served as New York City’s first female EMS chief and led the emergency medical services division during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by unprecedented strain on first responders. Mamdani has pointed to that experience as central to his decision.
People will die because of this. Proven experience matters when lives are at stake. https://t.co/HV4kodU2aI
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 26, 2025
“Bonsignore’s calm, decisive leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic – when EMS professionals were more vital than ever – is exactly the kind of leadership our city needs in moments of uncertainty,” Mamdani said in a statement to City & State ahead of the announcement.
Mamdani’s choice comes amid heightened scrutiny of his leadership approach and governing philosophy. Musk has previously weighed in on New York politics, including during the most recent mayoral race. In November, just ahead of Election Day, Musk urged voters on X to consider the broader implications of their choices, suggesting that a vote for Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa would effectively benefit Mamdani. Musk instead encouraged New Yorkers to support former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary earlier in the year.
That endorsement sparked backlash, including a reply accusing Musk of backing yet another figure accused of sexual misconduct, referencing the allegations against Cuomo. Musk fired back with a brief challenge, asking critics if they had a better suggestion.
Despite the sharp rhetoric often surrounding Mamdani, his relationship with President Donald Trump appeared more measured during a November meeting at the White House. Trump, who had previously referred to Mamdani using terms such as “Communist Lunatic” and “my little communist mayor,” struck a notably restrained tone after their Oval Office meeting.
“I feel very confident that he can do a very good job,” Trump told reporters afterward. “I think he is gonna surprise some conservative people, actually.”
Still, Musk’s stark warning has added fuel to the debate over Mamdani’s FDNY appointment, raising questions about whether administrative experience alone is enough to lead a department where split-second decisions can mean the difference between life and death. As the transition timeline stretches toward 2027, the controversy signals that Mamdani’s leadership choices will continue to face intense scrutiny well before he officially takes office.
