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2d ago

Musk Condemns Mamdani’s FDNY Pick as Unions Back Bonsignore

Supporters note the civilian role oversees a department where most calls are EMS, not fires.

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

  • Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani named 31-year FDNY EMS veteran Lillian Bonsignore as commissioner, with her tenure set to begin Jan. 1.
  • Elon Musk criticized the choice on X, warning "People will die because of this" and arguing that proven firefighting experience is essential.
  • The three unions representing firefighters, officers and medics endorsed Bonsignore, and former commissioner Laura Kavanagh publicly praised the selection.
  • Bonsignore, a former chief of EMS who retired in 2022, would be the first openly gay commissioner and only the second woman to lead the department.
  • Conservative figures including Ted Cruz attacked her lack of firefighting service, while Mamdani highlighted her decades of EMS leadership during crises such as 9/11 and COVID-19 and pointed to EMS handling the majority of FDNY calls.