New Biography by Kai Bird Explores Roy Cohn’s Tactics and Influence on Donald Trump

Baltimore, MD, September 17, 2026 —

A new biography by Kai Bird delves into the controversial methods of lawyer Roy Cohn, examining his career and influence through the lens of his playbook, which included tactics such as denial and delay. The book, titled ‘American Scoundrel,’ analyzes how these strategies, honed during the McCarthy era, have informed the methods employed by Donald Trump.

Kai Bird, known for his work on biographies, reportedly traces the trajectory of Cohn’s legal and public life. The biography suggests a direct lineage from Cohn’s approach to public discourse and legal maneuvering to practices adopted later by Donald Trump. This examination points to a continuity in certain political and personal strategies that have had a notable impact.

The book’s analysis highlights Cohn’s proficiency in employing denial and delay as key components of his playbook. These tactics, often used to evade accountability or control narratives, are presented as foundational elements of his legacy. The biography posits that these methods were not only characteristic of Cohn’s work but also served as a model for subsequent figures in public life, most notably Donald Trump, whose own career has been marked by similar strategies.

The influence discussed in ‘American Scoundrel’ spans from the anti-communist fervor of the McCarthy era, during which Cohn rose to prominence as a prosecutor, to contemporary political discourse. Bird’s work aims to provide a comprehensive look at Cohn’s life and the enduring impact of his controversial, yet effective, modus operandi. The specific details of Cohn’s career and Trump’s adoption of his tactics are explored within the biographical narrative.

Story summarized from the original created by Terry Gross on www.npr.org, see more information here.

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