Moira Donegan and Adrian Daub, co-hosts of the In Bed with the Right podcast, dive into the life of Roy Cohn—a lawyer infamous for his controversial tactics and role in historical events. They explore Cohn's manipulative methods during the Rosenberg trial and his influential position within McCarthyism, highlighting his complex identity as a gay man leading anti-gay efforts. The discussion unveils the psychological underpinnings of Cohn's character and the ironies of his legacy, showcasing his profound impact on American politics and culture.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Maid's Death Hidden at Dinner
Roy Cohn's mother preserved a family dinner despite the maid dying in the kitchen by hiding her body under a table.
This disturbing event illustrates the family's cold and domineering nature surrounding young Roy.
insights INSIGHT
The Overbearing Mother
Roy Cohn's mother Dora was neurotic, domineering, and possibly psychotic, heavily influencing his personality.
This overbearing maternal influence deeply shaped Cohn's behaviors and psychological makeup.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Cohn and the Rosenberg Execution
At age 23, Cohn aggressively prosecuted Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, pushing for Ethel's execution with fabricated evidence.
His unethical actions in the trial exemplify his ruthless drive for power and vindictiveness.
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J. Edgar Hoover, Joe McCarthy, Roy Cohn, and the Politics of Insinuation
Christopher M. Elias
Citizen Cohn
Nicholas Von Hoffman
Nicholas von Hoffman's 'Citizen Cohn' provides a comprehensive portrait of Roy Cohn, detailing his early life, his role as chief counsel to Senator Joseph McCarthy, and his later influence on figures like Donald Trump. The book delves into Cohn's ideological passions, personal life, and the patterns of power and money that defined him. It highlights his controversial career, marked by legal misconduct and a flamboyant personal life, contrasting with his public persona as a conservative anti-gay figure.
Epistemology of the closet
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick
In 'Epistemology of the Closet,' Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick argues that standard binary oppositions, particularly the homo/heterosexual binary, limit freedom and understanding of human sexuality. The book examines how the 'closet'—both literal and metaphorical—shapes the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and broader cultural understandings of sexual identities. Sedgwick critiques the minoritizing and universalizing views of sexuality, highlighting the complexities and fluidity of human sexual experiences. She also explores how language and labeling contribute to the epistemic crisis of homo/heterosexual definition, advocating for a more inclusive and intersectional approach to understanding sexual identity. The work is a seminal text in queer theory, literary criticism, and cultural studies, challenging readers to rethink traditional frameworks of sexuality and identity.
Recently Matt joined Moira Donegan and Adrian Daub of the excellent In Bed with the Right podcast to record what turned out to be two episodes about Roy Cohn—the "lawyer, closet case and ratfucker extraordinaire," as they describe him. These days Cohn is perhaps most infamous for being Donald Trump's lawyer and mentor, but this first episode focuses on Cohn's childhood and family life, his decisive role in the Rosenberg trial (especially their execution), and his time working with Sen. Joe McCarthy at the height of the Red Scare. After you listen, please head over to In Bed with the Right to check out the second episode on Cohn and hear the rest of his story.
Know Your Enemy 
