Book 'American Scoundrel' Explores Roy Cohn's Influence on President Trump
A new biography titled 'American Scoundrel: A Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump,' authored by Kai Bird and Susan Goldmark, has been published, shedding light on the life of Roy Cohn and his significant influence on President Trump. The book details Cohn's career as a New York mob lawyer, his role as Senator Joe McCarthy's aide during the Red Scare, and his mentorship of President Trump from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. According to Bird, Cohn taught President Trump various ruthless tactics, including how to leverage ties to organized crime, navigate legal challenges, and maintain a stance of never admitting wrong or defeat. President Trump himself acknowledged Cohn's impact, famously asking in 2017, 'Where’s my Roy Cohn?' amid scandal. Bird also recounted several phone calls with President Trump during the book's research, where President Trump offered his own perspective on his initial meeting with Cohn, claiming Cohn recognized him as a rising young developer.