The man who shaped Trump: book sheds fresh light on ruthless Roy Cohn
American Scoundrel tells story of McCarthy attack dog, mob lawyer and Trump mentor – will the president be thumbing its pages?
TL;DR
- 'American Scoundrel' is a biography of Roy Cohn, described as Donald Trump's mentor and a figure from Joe McCarthy's era.
- The book's subtitle is 'A Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump'.
- Authors Kai Bird and Susan Goldmark note a lack of interest from many media outlets, including Fox News and Steve Bannon, in discussing the book.
- Cohn guided Trump in New York real estate from the mid-70s to the mid-80s, influencing his methods in business and politics.
- Trump reportedly asked, 'Where’s my Roy Cohn?' amid scandals in 2017.
- Kai Bird directly interviewed Trump multiple times for the book, with Trump recounting his first meeting with Cohn differently than previously stated.
- The book details Cohn's rise, his role as Joe McCarthy's aide during the Red Scare, and his influence as the 'ideologue' behind McCarthy.
- Cohn's life included controversial actions, such as his role in the Army-McCarthy hearings and alleged abuse of 'boy toys'.
- Cohn died in 1986 from Aids, having denied his sexuality and illness, and was disbarred shortly before his death.
- Despite rumors of Trump abandoning Cohn, Bird's research suggests Trump maintained some contact, including an invitation to Mar-a-Lago shortly before Cohn's death.