Roy Cohn's influence on Donald Trump explored by historian Kai Bird

Historian Kai Bird discusses the profound influence of Roy Cohn on Donald Trump in his new book, ‘American Scoundrel’. Bird describes Cohn as a ‘nefarious, minor, awful figure’ who served as a mentor and fixer to Trump during his early years in real estate.

According to Bird, Cohn’s legacy of unethical and divisive tactics, which included his role in the McCarthy purges and legal work for various figures, continues to ‘haunt’ modern politics. The discussion highlights how Cohn’s business and political methods shaped Trump’s approach to leadership and international relations.