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Roy Cohn news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Kai Bird's biography 'American Scoundrel' traces Roy Cohn's influence from McCarthy to Trump. The book explains how Cohn's tactics shaped modern American politics.
Background
Roy Cohn was a ruthless lawyer and political fixer who rose to prominence during the McCarthy era, later mentoring a young Donald Trump in New York real estate. His aggressive tactics and disregard for rules have had a lasting impact on American political culture. The release of a new biography has reignited public discussion about his legacy.
How it unfolded
- Aug 28, 2026The New Yorker published a podcast interview with biographer Kai Bird about his new book 'American Scoundrel.'
- Aug 29, 2026The Financial Times published a review of 'American Scoundrel,' highlighting Cohn's long shadow over the White House.
- Sep 1, 2026The Guardian and The New York Times published reviews of the book, and the Mapplethorpe Foundation denied use of a Roy Cohn photo for the biography.
- Sep 3, 2026The Boston Globe and The Free Press published opinion pieces on Cohn's toxic influence, linking him to Trump's rhetoric.
Who’s saying what
- Critics
- Roy Cohn's legacy is a 'poisoned' influence on American culture, as seen in Trump's divisive politics.
- Biographers
- Kai Bird and Susan Goldmark argue Cohn taught Trump everything, from lying to exploiting the system.
Still unverified
The Mapplethorpe Foundation's denial of photo use is reported but not officially confirmed by the foundation.