The Early Days

Roy Cohn was born on February 20, 1927, in the Bronx, New York City, into a wealthy and influential Jewish family. His father, Albert Cohn, was a well known judge and an influential figure in the Democratic Party in New York, while his mother, Dora Marcus Cohn, came from a wealthy family and was known for being overbearing and protective. Roy was their only child, and his upbringing was characterized by his parents' social status and political connections, which helped shape his ambitions from a young age.

From an early age, Cohn was seen as highly intelligent and driven, though he was also known for his intense ambition and tenacity. He attended the prestigious Horace Mann School and later studied at Columbia University, where he graduated from its law school at just 20 years old. His family's connections helped him secure his first professional opportunities, and he quickly became involved in high profile legal cases, including the prosecution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, which propelled him into the public eye.

Cohn’s childhood environment emphasized power, influence, and success, which left a lasting mark on him. His mother reportedly had a strong influence on him, pushing him towards high achievement, and his father’s judicial position provided early exposure to the legal and political world. He grew up with a sense of entitlement and the belief that rules could be bent or broken to achieve one's aims; traits that would later define his controversial career as a lawyer and political fixer.

Rosenberg Trial

Cohn played a significant role in the trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were accused of espionage for allegedly passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union during the early years of the Cold War. Cohn, then a young assistant U.S. attorney, was part of the prosecution team that sought the death penalty for both Rosenbergs.

Cohn's involvement in the trial was notable for a few reasons:

1. Cohn was known for his aggressive approach, which aligned well with the broader anti-Communist fervor of the time. He worked under Chief Prosecutor Irving Saypol and collaborated closely with Judge Irving Kaufman, who ultimately sentenced the Rosenbergs to death.

2. Cohn later claimed that he had a hand in selecting Judge Irving Kaufman for the case. Kaufman was also known for being particularly harsh, which worked in favor of the prosecution's goal of securing the death penalty. Cohn's influence over Kaufman became part of the controversy surrounding the fairness of the trial.

3. Cohn played a key role in handling some of the critical witnesses, particularly David Greenglass, Ethel Rosenberg's brother. Greenglass testified that he had provided atomic secrets to the Soviets with the help of his sister, Ethel, and her husband, Julius. Cohn’s questioning of Greenglass and other witnesses was aimed at establishing the Rosenbergs' direct involvement in the espionage ring.

The trial was widely criticized for its fairness, and Cohn's actions, particularly in pressuring witnesses and influencing the judge, added to these criticisms. It is now believed that Cohn's efforts contributed significantly to the harsh sentencing of both Julius and Ethel, with the latter's involvement being seen by many as less substantial than that of her husband. Despite appeals and public outcry, the Rosenbergs were executed in 1953.

Cohn's involvement in the Rosenberg trial set the stage for his later career, where he became known as a prominent, controversial figure closely associated with Senator Joseph McCarthy and his anti-Communist crusades.

McCarthyism

Cohn was a key figure in Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist crusade during the early 1950s, specifically during the period known as the McCarthy era. Cohn served as McCarthy’s chief counsel from 1953 to 1954 and played a central role in the infamous hearings investigating supposed Communist infiltration of the U.S. government and other institutions.

As a young and ambitious lawyer at the time, he gained prominence as part of the prosecution team in the espionage case against Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, which earned him McCarthy's attention. Due to Cohn's perceived toughness, he was appointed as chief counsel to McCarthy's Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which was tasked with uncovering Communist influence in America.

In his role, Cohn worked closely with McCarthy to spearhead numerous investigations, most famously targeting government employees, members of the entertainment industry, and intellectuals who were suspected of Communist ties. Cohn was known for his aggressive questioning tactics and his behind-the-scenes maneuvering. His work largely involved identifying targets, organizing evidence, and helping orchestrate the public hearings that became notorious for their lack of due process and highly accusatory nature.

Cohn’s involvement was particularly notable during the Army-McCarthy hearings in 1954. The conflict arose after Cohn allegedly pressured the U.S. Army to give preferential treatment to G. David Schine, a close associate and friend of Cohn who had been drafted. The Army accused McCarthy and Cohn of improper influence, and McCarthy retaliated with accusations of Communist infiltration in the Army. These hearings were televised, and the public spectacle of Cohn’s tactics, alongside McCarthy’s increasingly reckless behavior, contributed to the decline of McCarthy’s credibility and influence.

The Army-McCarthy hearings marked a turning point for both McCarthy and Cohn. The public, seeing McCarthy's behavior as bullying and unreasonable, began to turn against him, and he was eventually censured by the Senate. Though Cohn avoided direct consequences at the time, his aggressive and confrontational approach left a lasting impression and his association with McCarthyism followed him throughout his life.

Cohn and McCarthy shared a complex relationship, with Cohn often seen as the power behind the scenes. Cohn admired McCarthy and believed in his anti-Communist crusade, but he was also willing to bend the rules to achieve his goals, often showing a willingness to manipulate evidence and apply pressure to achieve political ends. Their partnership was instrumental in the excesses of McCarthyism, where countless individuals faced accusations, career destruction, and personal harm without substantial evidence.

Cohn’s involvement with McCarthy exemplifies a period of fear and political repression in U.S. history, where accusations were enough to destroy reputations, and the pursuit of Communist threats often bypassed civil liberties.

New York Mafia

Cohn had significant interactions with organized crime figures during his career, including mafia boss Anthony "Fat Tony" Salerno. Cohn's relationship with Salerno, the boss of the Genovese crime family, exemplified his deep ties to the underworld. Cohn acted as a legal adviser to several mafia figures, using his connections, influence, and knowledge of the legal system to protect them from prosecution. Fat Tony Salerno was one of these clients, benefiting from Cohn's ability to navigate the legal and political landscape to avoid or minimize legal repercussions.

Cohn used his power to shield his clients by exploiting his relationships with law enforcement officials, judges, and politicians. He provided legal counsel and acted as an intermediary when mafia figures needed to negotiate business deals or resolve disputes, which often straddled both the legitimate and illegitimate sides of New York’s economy. For instance, Cohn played a role in helping Salerno and other mobsters maintain control over lucrative construction and labor rackets in the city.

The relationship between Cohn and Salerno was part of a broader web of influence that allowed organized crime families to maintain significant control over sectors like construction, garbage collection, and labor unions in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s. Cohn's influence extended far beyond his role as an attorney; he often acted as a power broker, arranging connections and shielding his clients from scrutiny through his political and legal networks.

Cohn’s ties to organized crime became particularly infamous when Salerno was eventually convicted in the mid-1980s as part of the Mafia Commission Trial. This major federal case, led by U.S. Attorney Rudolph Giuliani, targeted the heads of New York’s five major crime families, and Fat Tony Salerno was sentenced to 100 years in prison for his role in the Mafia Commission. Although Cohn himself was not charged in connection with these criminal activities, his associations with Salerno and other mafia leaders highlighted the depth of his involvement in New York's organized crime scene.

Roy Cohn’s connections with people like Fat Tony Salerno contributed to his reputation as someone who operated in the gray areas of power, blending legal advocacy, political maneuvering, and associations with unsavory figures.

Donald Trump

Cohn was a significant influence on Donald Trump during the early stages of Trump's career in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1970s, when Trump was expanding his family's real estate empire in New York, he met Cohn, who would become his lawyer, mentor, and close confidant. At the time, Trump was facing a lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice alleging discriminatory rental practices against African Americans in his real estate holdings. Cohn, who had a reputation as a fierce litigator, advised Trump to countersue the government for $100 million, turning the issue into a prolonged legal battle rather than a swift settlement. This approach, counterpunching harder than his opponent, became a hallmark of Trump's strategy throughout his career.

Cohn embodied the principles of confrontation, loyalty, and an unyielding focus on winning, no matter the cost. These lessons clearly impacted Trump, who has often embraced similar tactics in both business and politics. Cohn’s guidance emphasized never admitting fault, always attacking critics, and leveraging media attention to one’s advantage. These strategies were evident in Trump's public persona and his handling of various controversies throughout his career, from business disputes to political rivalries.

Cohn was deeply connected to the political and social elite in New York City, and he used his influence to help Trump secure favorable treatment and key introductions. He helped Trump navigate the complexities of city politics and establish relationships with influential figures. Cohn was also known for throwing lavish parties attended by powerful personalities from the political and entertainment spheres, which gave Trump valuable exposure.

Cohn’s mentorship left an indelible mark on Trump’s approach to both business and politics. Many observers have pointed out that Trump's combative style, media manipulation, and legal maneuvers bear the imprint of the lessons learned from Cohn.

Studio 54

Studio 54, the legendary New York nightclub known for its celebrity clientele and decadent atmosphere. Cohn served as the legal advisor for Studio 54’s co-owners, Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, during their legal troubles in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His involvement was part of the club's attempt to navigate various issues, particularly the scrutiny it faced from law enforcement and the IRS.

In 1978, Studio 54 was raided by federal agents, and Rubell and Schrager were eventually charged with tax evasion. They were accused of skimming millions of dollars from the club’s profits and hiding it in garbage bags, among other places. Cohn, known for his aggressive and often morally questionable legal tactics, tried to assist Rubell and Schrager in minimizing the damage, but his influence couldn't prevent them from being convicted. In 1980, Rubell and Schrager were sentenced to prison for tax evasion.

Cohn's involvement with Studio 54 added a layer of infamy to an already notorious story. He was seen as a power broker who moved in elite circles and whose legal work often pushed ethical boundaries. Cohn's connections with prominent figures in politics, entertainment, and business made him an ideal, if controversial, figure for the club owners to rely on during their legal battles. Despite his efforts, the crackdown on Studio 54 ultimately contributed to the club’s decline, marking the end of its iconic era.

Homophobic Homosexuality

Cohn is often remembered as a deeply contradictory figure, particularly regarding his sexuality. His behavior is often described as embodying "homophobic homosexuality." He not only actively concealed his own sexuality, but also worked tirelessly against the rights and livelihoods of other gay men, aligning himself with deeply conservative, anti-gay political causes. This contradictory stance could be interpreted as an attempt to distance himself from any association with homosexuality, which was highly stigmatized at the time. By aggressively targeting other gay people, he may have hoped to protect his public reputation and deflect suspicion.

Cohn's involvement in the Lavender Scare, which paralleled the Red Scare, is one of the most glaring examples of this contradiction. The Lavender Scare involved the systematic targeting and purging of homosexual employees from the U.S. government, under the premise that they were security risks. The irony was that, while he supported these purges, Cohn himself was known in private to engage in same-sex relationships. His attempts to secure special treatment for his boyfriend, G. David Schine, during their work with McCarthy also raised suspicions about his orientation, but he consistently denied his homosexuality until his death.

His public persona was heavily marked by self-denial and the internalization of societal homophobia. Cohn maintained relationships with powerful conservative figures, including Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, who represented the political establishment that often promoted anti-gay sentiment.

This duality was powerfully depicted in Tony Kushner’s play Angels in America, where Cohn is portrayed as a man tormented by his own hypocrisy, simultaneously craving power and acceptance while destroying others to protect his public image. The character's tragic arc reveals the deep personal cost of living a life built on such profound contradictions, embodying both victim and perpetrator within the broader context of 20th-century American homophobia.

AIDS / Death

Cohn was diagnosed with AIDS in 1984, but publicly denied his condition and instead claimed he had liver cancer, largely due to his public homophobia and desire to maintain his tough image. His denial of AIDS was partly motivated by the prevailing stigma against both homosexuality and the disease at the time.

Despite seeking experimental treatments and using his high-level connections to obtain promising new drugs, his health deteriorated over the next few years. Roy Cohn died on August 2, 1986, at the age of 59, due to complications from AIDS. His death was seen by many as deeply ironic, given his own efforts to demonize gay men and the lack of compassion he showed toward others throughout his career.

Cohn’s legacy is a complex one, marked by both his controversial role in American politics and the tragic, self-denying circumstances of his death.