Roy Cohn's Legacy Fuels Modern American Populist Politics

The column recounts Roy Cohn’s ascent as a notorious lawyer for Senator Joseph McCarthy, highlighting his anti-communist crusades, prosecutions of homosexuals, and involvement in the Rosenberg case. It details how Cohn cultivated a vast network of judges, politicians, media moguls and entertainers in New York, securing favors for clients such as Donald Trump, who received tax breaks for Trump Tower. The author asserts that Cohn mentored Trump, passing on a playbook of intimidation, media manipulation and loyalty exchanges that mirrors McCarthy’s demagoguery.

By drawing parallels between Cohn, McCarthy and Trump, the piece warns of a revived culture of red-baiting and suppression of left-wing activism. It concludes with a call for independent journalism and public resistance to protect democratic norms.