CNBC anchor Joe Kernen said New York City risks becoming the crime-ridden Gotham of “The Dark Knight” Batman trilogy following Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s shocking victory in the city’s Democratic mayoral primary.
Kernen, speaking on “Squawk Box” on Wednesday, joked that co-host Andrew Ross Sorkin should challenge Mamdani in the general election.
“I mean, you’ve got a platform that’s similar to his that you ran on, that you said free things,” Kernen said before launching into a pointed analogy.
“I don’t wanna go here, but Gotham,” Kernen said.
“Have you seen what Batman is up against in Gotham, and what the guy running for mayor is up against? That’s what it reminds me of. They’re taking Wall Streeters and making them walk out onto the ice in the East River and hope — and then they fall through. I mean, there is a class warfare that’s going on.”
Kernen’s remarks reflect growing unease in financial and political circles over Mamdani’s platform, which includes rent freezes, tax hikes on the wealthy, free public transportation and city-run grocery stores.
Mamdani’s win, which was propelled by young and progressive voters, has rattled New York’s political establishment.
Newspapers sympathetic to the Democratic Party such as the New York Times and Chicago Tribune lobbied against his candidacy, citing an agenda that critics have said is unrealistic.
Mamdani’s platform has also raised concerns it could drive businesses out of the city and burden taxpayers. His call to raise the minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2030 has drawn particular criticism from small business groups.
Mamdani has also drawn backlash over his views on Israel and Jewish identity. He has referred to Israel’s campaign in Gaza as “genocide” and said he believes Israel should exist “as a state with equal rights” rather than as a Jewish state.
Jewish groups, including the Anti-Defamation League and US Holocaust Memorial Museum, condemned his refusal to disavow the slogan “Globalize the intifada,” which they say incites violence against Jews.
Establishment Democrats have distanced themselves, calling Mamdani “too extreme.” His critics argue that the city lacks the infrastructure to implement sweeping reforms like public grocery stores, given the longstanding dysfunction at agencies like NYCHA.
The Post has sought comment from Mamdani.
