The Architect of Trump’s Political Identity
Roy Cohn defined the political style of Donald Trump. A new biography titled American Scoundrel, written by Kai Bird and Susan Goldmark, documents how the New York lawyer shaped the tactics and worldview of the current president. Published this week, the book chronicles Cohn’s life from his role as chief counsel to Senator Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s Red Scare to his years as a mob lawyer in Manhattan. Cohn served as the primary mentor for Trump during the 1970s and 80s.
Bird contacted Trump four times to gather information for the biography. During these conversations, Trump offered his own perspective on their early association. Trump claimed he met Cohn at Le Club in 1973, insisting that Cohn sought him out as a rising star rather than the reverse. This interaction highlights a central theme of the biography: Cohn taught his protégés the value of controlling the narrative regardless of the facts. Trump eventually expressed interest in promoting the book, provided the authors maintained a neutral tone.
From McCarthy to the Modern Era
Cohn’s influence stretches back to his early professional life. At age 27, he appeared on the cover of Time magazine. He graduated from Columbia Law School when he was only 20. His career path included the prosecution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and a pivotal stint as an aide to Joe McCarthy. Bird notes that while McCarthy was a populist opportunist, Cohn acted as the true ideologue. He directed the interrogations and operated with a fierce commitment to dismantling perceived threats to the nation from within.
This historical context serves as a baseline for understanding the current political climate. The book argues that Cohn’s methods during the McCarthy era mirror contemporary debates in Washington. Cohn was a master of using state power to target political opponents, a strategy that many observers see echoed in current policy battles. The authors contend that his desire to prove his own loyalty as a Jewish American often drove his extreme rightwing positions. His associations included influential figures like Rupert Murdoch and Ronald Reagan.
The Complexity of a Private Life
Cohn lived a double life. He was a closeted gay man who spent decades denying his sexuality while simultaneously engaging in high-profile sexual escapades. His death in 1986 resulted from complications related to AIDS, yet he maintained until his final days that he suffered from liver cancer. He received experimental treatments facilitated by his connections in Washington. Even as his health failed, he remained a polarizing figure.
Professional consequences followed him until the end. Authorities disbarred him for unethical conduct shortly before his death. Despite his legal troubles, he maintained a network of high-status allies, including Barbara Walters and William F. Buckley Jr. Trump remained part of that circle longer than most records suggest. While some accounts claim Trump abandoned Cohn entirely as his health declined, Bird reports that Trump hosted a final dinner for him at Mar-a-Lago in March 1986. Witnesses observed Trump shedding tears at his memorial service later that year.
Legacy and Impact on Contemporary Politics
American Scoundrel provides a view into how the values of the 1950s shaped the modern executive branch. Bird, a Pulitzer Prize winner for his work on J. Robert Oppenheimer, frames the biography as a necessary look at the origins of Trump’s political instincts. The book serves as a historical record of how a single lawyer from New York could leave such a deep mark on the American government. The lessons Trump learned from Cohn regarding loyalty, media manipulation, and legal survival remain core components of his current approach to leadership. As the political landscape shifts further into these established patterns, the story of Roy Cohn offers a guide to understanding the mechanics behind the power.