The new biography “American Scoundrel: The Rise and Fall of Roy Cohn” by investigative journalist Maya Patel maps the ruthless tactics of the notorious lawyer across five decades of American politics. Drawing parallels between Cohn’s role in Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti‑communist witch hunts and his later mentorship of Donald Trump’s legal team, Patel argues that Cohn’s blend of intimidation, media manipulation, and legal subterfuge set a template for modern political operatives. The book, already a bestseller, has sparked renewed debate about the ethical legacy of Cohn’s methods and their lingering influence on today’s partisan battles.
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