Matt Sitman, co-host of the Know Your Enemy podcast, shares fascinating insights into the life of Roy Cohn, a lawyer famous for his controversial connections and mentorship to Donald Trump. They delve into Cohn's tumultuous return to New York, highlighting his ties to the mob and the Church. The discussion explores the dark tactics Cohn used to manipulate the political landscape while navigating his hidden sexuality, revealing how his notorious legacy continues to shape contemporary politics.
Roy Cohn leveraged his connections in New York, engaging with corrupt practices that intertwined high society and organized crime.
His mentorship of Donald Trump instilled aggressive legal tactics that influenced Trump's approach to public controversies throughout his career.
Deep dives
The Life and Legacy of Roy Cohn
Roy Cohn was known for his controversial career as a political fixer and attorney, leveraging his reputation from his work with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red and Lavender Scares. His transformation from a cold, calculating lawyer to a notorious figure in New York's social circuit marked a significant phase in his life, as he became intertwined with powerful elites, including Donald Trump. Cohn’s tactics included intimidation, manipulation, and legal maneuvering, allowing him to operate with apparent impunity, which contributed to his notoriety and fame. Cohn's relationships with older, closeted men reinforced his perception of superiority over those he deemed weaker, ultimately leading to a tragic irony when he was diagnosed with AIDS, the same fate he shunned when looking down on others.
Cohn's Corruption and Influence in New York
Following his departure from Washington, Cohn capitalized on his notoriety in New York City, aligning himself with influential figures and engaging in corrupt practices that furthered his own interests. His role as a legal representative for Studio 54's owners, who faced tax evasion charges, exemplified Cohn's ability to navigate the worlds of both high society and organized crime. His connections extended to the Catholic Church, showcasing his network of powerful allies, including Cardinal Spellman. This environment allowed Cohn to build a reputation for being untouchable, which only amplified his bravado and disregard for conventional morality.
The Teachings of Roy Cohn: Trump as his Protégé
Cohn's influence extended deeply into Donald Trump’s early career, marking the latter as his protégé and shaping his approach to handling legal issues and controversies. Trump learned from Cohn the importance of aggression, denial, and the art of counter-suing, tactics that defined his responses to various allegations throughout his life. The principles Cohn instilled in Trump established a framework for navigating public controversies, emphasizing the idea that victory is paramount, regardless of the truth. As Trump became embroiled in his own controversies, he often referenced Cohn's tactics, revealing the lasting impact of Cohn's ruthless legal strategies on his own methods.
Cohn's Downfall: A Fitting End
Cohn's personal decline during his battle with AIDS starkly contrasted with the power he previously wielded, revealing the vulnerabilities of a man who had built his life on manipulation and deceit. Despite his attempts to maintain a facade of health by claiming to suffer from liver cancer, the reality of his illness led to his isolation and eventual disbarment from practicing law. His connections dwindled, and even those who had once sought his counsel distanced themselves during his final days, reflecting the transient nature of his power. Cohn's tragic end serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of a life led by ambition devoid of integrity, leaving behind a legacy marked by manipulation, betrayal, and moral failure.
The second part of Moira and Adrian's long conversation with Matt Sitman of Know Your Enemy on Roy Cohn -- lawyer to various deplorables, closet case and mentor to a young Donald Trump. This part deals with Cohn's return to New York, his work for the mob, the Church, and the drugs.
Here are the books and documentaries we discuss in this first half:
-- Nicholas von Hoffman, Citizen Cohn: The Life and Times of Roy Cohn (1988)
-- Ivy Meeropol (dir.), Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn (2019)
-- Matt Tyrnauer (dir.), Where's My Roy Cohn? (2019)
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