{"id":2525770,"date":"2025-12-28T10:17:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T15:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mamdani-hits-back-at-musk-after-claim-people-will-die-over-fdny-pick\/"},"modified":"2025-12-28T10:18:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T15:18:43","slug":"mamdani-hits-back-at-musk-after-claim-people-will-die-over-fdny-pick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mamdani-hits-back-at-musk-after-claim-people-will-die-over-fdny-pick\/","title":{"rendered":"Mamdani hits back at Musk after claim &#8216;people will die&#8217; over FDNY pick"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmamdani-hits-back-at-musk-after-claim-people-will-die-over-fdny-pick%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2525770&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>New York city Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani defended his pick for FDNY commissioner, Lillian Bonsignore, after X CEO Elon Musk criticized the appointment, warning &#8220;people will die&#8221; and noting she never served as a firefighter. Mamdani pointed out that Bonsignore brings more than 30 years of EMS experience-which he noted handles roughly 70% of FDNY calls-and said proven experience guided his choice. Bonsignore, a 31-year FDNY veteran and former EMT, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-backs-republican-covid-19-package-after-mcconnell-rejects-bipartisan-proposal\/\" title=\"Trump backs Republican COVID-19 package after McConnell rejects bipartisan proposal\">told reporters<\/a> she knows the job and can translate EMS needs to the administration. Local outlets compared her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/analysis-pelosis-iron-fist-in-a-gucci-glove-has-dragged-the-democratic-party-to-the-brink\/\" title=\"ANALYSIS: Pelosi\u2019s \u2018Iron Fist In A Gucci Glove\u2019 Has Dragged The Democratic Party To The Brink\">leadership style<\/a> to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch; Mamdani has also chosen to keep Tisch in place.Musk, who had previously endorsed Andrew Cuomo and repeatedly criticized Mamdani during the mayoral campaign, amplified concerns about the appointment on social media.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Mamdani hits back at Musk after claim &lsquo;people will die&rsquo; over <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/no-spike-in-florida-coronavirus-cases-despite-no-mask-mandate\/\" title=\"No Spike in Florida Coronavirus Cases Despite No Mask Mandate\">mayor<\/a>-elect&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s FDNY pick<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2452765\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>New York City Mayor-elect <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/zohran-mamdani\/\">Zohran Mamdani<\/a> and X CEO <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elon-musk\/\">Elon Musk<\/a> are trading barbs on social media after Musk took aim at Mamdani&rsquo;s pick to lead the New York City Fire Department.<\/p>\n<p>Mamdani tapped Lillian Bonsignore, a retired EMS chief and former EMT, to be his FDNY commissioner on Dec. 23. The move brought backlash from Musk, the former Department of Government Efficiency head who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3873517\/musk-cuomo-endorsement-nyc-mayor-race\/\">endorsed<\/a> embattled former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) over Mamdani for mayor and has been critical of the Democratic Socialist since his campaign.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4362468\/bruce-blakeman-kathy-hochul-convicted-criminal-state-corrections-commission-new-york\/\">Blakeman slams Hochul over requirement to put convicted criminal on state corrections commission<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4356931\/new-york-could-hold-key-house-majority-in-2026\/\">New York could hold the key to the House majority in 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4356642\/bruce-blakeman-abortion-rights-stance-gop-gubernatorial-front-runner\/\">New York Republicans ponder Bruce Blakeman&#8217;s abortion-rights stance as GOP&#8217;s gubernatorial front-runner<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;People will die because of this. Proven experience matters when lives are at stake,&rdquo; Musk wrote Dec. 26 on X about Bonsignore&rsquo;s appointment.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/4362775\/trump-first-year-report-card-promise-keeper-or-nightmare-failure\/\">TRUMP FIRST YEAR REPORT CARD: A- PROMISE KEEPER OR &lsquo;NIGHTMARE&rsquo; FAILURE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Musk reposted a news clipping in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/elonmusk\/status\/2004676514806391008?s=20\">his post<\/a> that said Bonsignore had never served as a firefighter and that she would be the first openly gay commissioner of FDNY. Mamdani swung back at Musk&rsquo;s assertion on Saturday, coming to Bonsignore&rsquo;s defense.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;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?&rdquo; Mamdani wrote on X.<\/p>\n<p>Bonsignore told reporters she is ready for the job during a press conference announcing her appointment.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4361888\/ms-rachel-mamdani-inauguration-committee\/\">MS. RACHEL NAMED TO MAMDANI&rsquo;S INAUGURATION COMMITTEE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I know the job. I know what the firefighters need, and I can translate that to this administration, who&rsquo;s willing to listen,&rdquo; Bonsignore said, per <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/abc7ny.com\/post\/mayor-elect-zohran-mamdani-name-lillian-bonsignore-retired-ems-chief-fdny-fire-commissioner\/18309530\/\">ABC7<\/a> NY. &ldquo;I know what EMS needs; I&rsquo;ve been EMS for 30 plus years.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Bonsignore, who served in the FDNY for 31 years, has a respected leadership style comparable to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, according to the local ABC outlet. Mamdani has also elected to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3891813\/adams-era-nypd-commissioner-jessica-tisch-zohran-mamdani\/\">keep Tisch in her role<\/a> for his administration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mamdani fires back at Musk over FDNY pick<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2525771,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-collage-6sc0ftocz-1766932598664-e1766932997342.jpg?1766915000&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[32192,8714,56552,36160,35975],"class_list":["post-2525770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-elon-musk","tag-fdny","tag-mamdani","tag-political-controversy","tag-public-safety"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-collage-6sc0ftocz-1766932598664-e1766932997342.jpg?1766915000&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2525770","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2525770"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2525770\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2525774,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2525770\/revisions\/2525774"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2525771"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2525770"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2525770"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2525770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}