Biography Examines Roy Cohn's Impact on American Power and Trump

Why it matters locally: Roy Cohn, a prominent figure discussed in this biography, was born and raised in New York City and spent a significant portion of his career operating within the state's legal and political circles. His mentorship of Donald Trump, also a native New Yorker, has had a lasting impact on national politics, stemming from their New York origins.

Kai Bird's new book, "American Scoundrel," details Roy Cohn's career and his sustained influence on American politics. Cohn operated in centers of American power for decades. Bird's biography tracks Cohn's professional life, beginning with his work for Senator Joseph McCarthy. Cohn later functioned as a lawyer and political fixer. The book also examines Cohn's relationship with Donald Trump. Cohn served as a mentor to Trump during his early career. Jeffrey Brown conducted an interview with Bird for the arts and culture series, CANVAS.