CNBC’s Joe Kernen Compares NYC to Dystopian Gotham from the Batman Movies After Zohran Mamdani’s Victory

CNBC’s Joe Kernen compared New York City to the dystopian Gotham depicted in The Dark Knight Rises, the final film in director Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed Batman trilogy, on Wednesday while reflecting on Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the Big Apple’s Democratic mayoral primary.

After joking that his colleague Andrew Ross Sorkin ought to run against 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 dove into his analogy.

“I don’t wanna go here, but Gotham,” began Kernen.

“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,” he continued before marveling at the “eat the rich” attitude.

Kernen’s panel went on to marvel at the efforts of The New York Times and Chicago Tribune to lobby against Mamdani, who campaigned on promises to raise taxes on businesses and the rich, impose price controls on rent, and open up government-run grocery stores around the city.

Watch the clip above.