New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani defended his new appointee after Elon Musk called out the fire chief’s lack of “experience.”
The soon-to-be sworn-in mayor fired back at the Tesla and SpaceX CEO, declaring that “Experience does matter,” in a post on X.
“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 wrote.
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? https://t.co/shTYVvvy4C
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) December 27, 2025
Mandani appointed Lillian Bonsignore, a veteran emergency medical services leader, last week to head up the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), making her the city’s first openly gay fire commissioner. But it is her lack of firefighting experience that irked many who reacted to the 56-year-old coming out of retirement to accept the incoming mayor’s appointment.
“People will die because of this. Proven experience matters when lives are at stake,” Musk warned in a social media post following the announcement.
‘People will die’: Mamdani celebrates first gay FDNY commissioner – who never served as a firefighter https://t.co/mJBgTcZFpx via @BIZPACReview
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) December 27, 2025
“I know what the firefighters need, and I can translate that to this administration, who is willing to listen,” Bonsignor said in defending her record. “I know what EMS needs. I have been EMS for 30-plus years. And now you have a commissioner that could start an IV.”
While Mamdani had his share of fans on X who applauded his jab at Musk, many others still leveled criticism over his choice of FDNY chief.
Fighting fires in a city of densely populated buildings and houses is definitely more nuanced than EMS. Which requires actual experience with fighting fire in NYC.
You appointed her bc she was a woman and lesbian, not bc she was the most qualified. You’ll never admit but you… https://t.co/xIIXCCI1nJ
— Sam Martinez (@SamHMart) December 29, 2025
EMS aren’t firefighters
— Mises Caucus (@LPMisesCaucus) December 28, 2025
You pulled an EMS worker out of retirement who became a motivational speaker and gave her FDNY commissioner position.
This is not meritocracy, it’s DEI.— Manhattan Mingle (@ManhattanMingle) December 28, 2025
Experience matters and that’s why you made the medical responder the fire chief???
— Chad Mogger (@chadmogger) December 27, 2025
If experience matters why did you run for mayor?
— Chicks On The Right (@chicksonright) December 28, 2025
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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