The Roy Cohn Playbook, from McCarthyism to Trump
Summary
Fresh Air host Terry Gross interviews historian Kai Bird, author of the new biography "American Scoundrel," to explore the life of Roy Cohn, the unethical lawyer who mentored Donald Trump. The discussion covers Cohn’s role in the McCarthy era, his representation of mafia leaders, and his influence on Trump’s legal strategies and political worldview. Bird also reflects on the fragility of American democracy, drawing parallels between 1950s paranoia and modern political trends. The episode concludes with rock critic Kent Tucker discussing three lesser-known Dolly Parton songs that highlight h…
Topics discussed
Introduction to Roy Cohn and his influence on Trump
Cohn's legal strategies: delay, denial, and luck
Lessons Trump learned: bills, taxes, and judges
The Cohn-Trump relationship and Trump's interviews
Cohn's role in the McCarthy hearings and rivalry with RFK
Cohn's brutal interrogation techniques and hypocrisy
Cohn's closeted life and the gay community's reaction
Political parallels: racism, elitism, and America First
Cohn's work with the Mafia and the John Gotti case
Evolution of the friendship and 'The Art of the Deal'
Cohn's death from AIDS and Trump's reaction
Researching the biography: archives and Michael Stipe
The Mapplethorpe photo and Cohn's self-image
Richard Dupont's attempt to out Cohn and its failure
The fragility of American democracy and modern parallels
Dolly Parton tribute and show credits
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