New Biography Details Roy Cohn’s Influence on Trump’s Political Style

Key points

• Kai Bird and Susan Goldmark’s new book, 'American Scoundrel,' provides a detailed biography of Roy Cohn, the lawyer who mentored Donald Trump.
• The book argues that Cohn taught Trump key tactics, including how to counter-sue, deny wrongdoing, and never apologize, which Trump later applied in business and politics.
• Cohn’s career included his role as chief counsel to Senator Joe McCarthy, where he helped drive the Red Scare and the Lavender Scare, and his later work with organized crime figures.
• Bird conducted interviews with Trump, who provided new details about his relationship with Cohn, including a revised account of how they first met.
• The book highlights Cohn’s complex personal life, including his sexuality and his relationships with younger men, as well as his denial of his AIDS diagnosis until his death in 1986.

Background

Roy Cohn has been a figure of interest in discussions about the origins of modern American politics, particularly in relation to Donald Trump. Previous coverage has touched on the influence of McCarthyism and the tactics used by figures like Cohn, but this new book offers a comprehensive look at his life and impact. The archive articles provide background on other political and cultural figures, but this story focuses on the new biography and its insights into Cohn’s role in shaping Trump.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian emphasizes the book’s role in shedding light on Cohn’s influence on Trump and the broader political landscape, noting the lack of interest from major media figures. The Telegraph focuses on the book’s detailed portrayal of Cohn’s ruthless tactics and his impact on Trump’s political style. The Forward highlights the book’s relevance to understanding the current political moment and Cohn’s role in shaping the MAGA movement. The New Yorker provides a brief overview of the book and its significance, but does not offer a detailed analysis.

Why it matters

This book offers a new perspective on the origins of Donald Trump’s political style and the broader influence of figures like Roy Cohn on modern American politics. It provides a detailed look at the tactics and ideologies that have shaped the current political landscape, offering insights into the roots of contemporary political movements.

What to watch

The book is now available for purchase, and its impact on public discourse and understanding of Cohn’s role in American politics will be observed in the coming weeks. Further discussions and analyses of the book’s findings are expected in the media and academic circles.