Joe Kernen Thinks NYC Might Turn Into ‘Gotham’ After Mamdani’s Win—Is He Right?
Let’s Talk About the Panic
So Joe Kernen from CNBC went on air the other day and basically said New York City’s about to become Gotham—yeah, like Batman’s Gotham—if Zohran Mamdani’s policies take hold. You know, the usual doomsday talk from financial types whenever someone mentions taxing the rich or freezing rents. But here’s the thing: is NYC really heading for disaster, or is this just rich people freaking out? Let’s break it down.
Who Even Is Zohran Mamdani?
Okay, so Mamdani’s this progressive Democrat—actually, scratch that, he’s a Democratic Socialist—who just won big in New York’s primary. And his whole thing? Protecting tenants, raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy, and yeah, cutting back on policing in some areas. The kind of stuff that makes Wall Street guys sweat through their suits. But honestly, it’s not like he’s proposing anything revolutionary. Cities have tried this before. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. That’s the messy part.
Kernen’s Gotham Meltdown
On Squawk Box, Kernen went full drama mode: “This is how you turn New York into Gotham.” Cue the ominous music. His argument? Freeze rents, hike taxes, and suddenly all the rich folks bail, crime spikes, and boom—dystopia. But here’s what he’s missing: NYC’s been here before. The ’70s were rough, no lie, but the city didn’t collapse. It adapted. And let’s be real, comparing real life to a comic book? A bit much.
Progressives vs. The Money People
Mamdani’s supporters say it’s about time the wealthy paid up—after all, they’ve been riding high for decades. But critics? They’re waving the ’70s playbook, warning about businesses fleeing and middle-class families getting squeezed. And yeah, that’s a legit concern. But here’s the kicker: some cities thrive with progressive policies. Others? Not so much. It’s not black and white. Life rarely is.
Crime: The Numbers vs. The Fear
Okay, let’s talk crime. Stats show NYC’s still safer than the ’90s, but subway pushes and shoplifting? Those are up. And the headlines make it sound like the apocalypse. But studies don’t actually link progressive DAs to crime spikes. Perception’s the real issue—when people feel unsafe, it doesn’t matter what the data says. That’s the thing that’s tricky to fix.
Remember the ’70s? Yeah, It Was Bad
Bankrupt city, crumbling infrastructure, crime everywhere—NYC in the ’70s was no joke. But it clawed its way back, partly by going tough on crime and pro-business. Now? The city’s way more diverse, economically and otherwise. The big question: can it handle progressive reforms without backsliding? A former mayor put it best: “Back then, we had no choice. Now, it’s about ideology.” And ideology’s messy.
What’s Next?
Mamdani’s policies could either make NYC more livable for regular people—or trigger a backlash that tanks the economy. Look at San Francisco: great on social progress, but with some serious growing pains. NYC’s got to find its own balance. And let’s be honest, no one knows how this’ll play out. Anyone who says they do is lying.
Final Thought
Kernen’s Gotham bit is over the top, but it taps into real fears. Some see Mamdani’s win as a chance for a fairer city. Others see disaster. Truth is probably somewhere in the middle. But one thing’s for sure: this debate isn’t going away. So—brink or renewal? What’s your take?
Source: NY Post – Business