‘People will die’: Elon Musk blasts Mamdani over FDNY commissioner appointment

Elon Musk criticized NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's appointment of Lillian Bonsignore as fire commissioner, warning it could lead to fatal consequences.

Published on: Dec 27, 2025, 07:49:22 IST

By Prakriti Deb

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Elon Musk has criticized New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s choice for fire commissioner, warning that the appointment could have fatal consequences.

In November, ahead of the mayoral election, Musk backed Andrew Cuomo on X and criticized both Mamdani and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. (AP)

Mamdani announced on Tuesday local time that Lillian Bonsignore will serve as the next commissioner of the New York City Fire Department, assuming the role after his inauguration on Jan. 1.

Bonsignore is a 31-year veteran of the department who retired in 2022 and previously served as FDNY’s chief of EMS Services. She will be the first openly gay commissioner and the second woman to lead the department.

Mamdani praised her extensive record, pointing to her leadership during the Sept. 11 attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as her decades of service across the city.

“These are the heroes of our five boroughs who save lives on a moment’s notice,” Mamdani said, according to CBS News, adding that FDNY deserves a leader who understands the job in detail and has done the work herself.

Also Read: Bronx explosion: At least 5 firefighters injured in NYC car blast; video shows massive blaze

Musk’s reaction

Musk responded on Friday to a post on X that circulated a clip noting that Bonsignore had not served as a firefighter, though she expressed confidence that it would not hinder her leadership.

Reacting to the post, Musk wrote, “People will die because of this. Proven experience matters when lives are at stake.”

Bonsignore is set to take office at the start of the new year, as the debate over her appointment unfolds.

In November, shortly before the mayoral election, Musk urged voters on X to support former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing the Democratic primary. He also criticized Mamdani and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

“Bear in mind that a vote for Curtis is really a vote for Mumdumi or whatever his name is. VOTE CUOMO!” the Tesla CEO had posted.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Prakriti Deb
Prakriti Deb is a journalist at Hindustan Times Digital, where she is part of the US Desk. She works on stories related to American politics, crime, sports, entertainment and weather. She particularly enjoys covering political developments that have global ripples. Through her work, she aims to break down complex events in a way that feels simple and understandable. Before joining the Hindustan Times, she worked with The Indian Express Digital, where she covered world affairs. She holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication with a specialisation in Journalism, along with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Outside the newsroom, Prakriti enjoys travelling and stepping out of her comfort zone. She finds her sense of being through storytelling in all its forms, including conversations, painting, theatre, dance and photography. She appreciates discussions that challenge her perspective and help her see the world a little differently.Read More

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