Roy Cohn: The Man Who Created Donald Trump

zero tolerance for criminal aliens zero Senate investigating subcommittee Mr con his friend a was present with Senator McCarthy to answer Donald Trump's relationship with Roy con is a significant chapter in understanding the former president's development both personally and professionally Roy con a lawyer Infamous for his role in Prosecuting the rosenbergs during the Red Scare and as Senator Joseph McCarthy's right-hand man during the anti-communist Crusades of the 1950s these high type men whom you describe including the secretary of the army say that Roy M con said that this is it this is war we will investigate the heck out of the army or investigate the Army from now on out you don't deny it do you uh yes sir you see the secretary does not as I heard his testimony did not say that I said any of those things further Mr Jenkins you don't deny it well I come pretty close to denying it because I talked to mentored Trump during a crucial period in his early career the two met in the 1970s and their Association was pivotal in shaping Trump's aggressive approach to business legal battles and public relations who was Roy con Roy con first rose to prominence in the 1950s as a key figure in the McCarthy hearings which aimed to root out Communists within the US government his ruthless tactics during these investigations earned him a reputation as one of the most feared and hated figures in Washington despite his controversial methods and numerous accusations of unethical Behavior con continued to wield significant power in legal and political circles throughout his career after leaving Washington con returned to New York and became one of the city's most prominent attorneys known for representing high-profile clients was that Mr Co was tremendously interested in Mr sha and in having special treatment for Mr sha he cultivated relationships with influential figures in politics business and organized crime developing a network that would serve him well throughout his legal career despite numerous accusations of corruption tax evasion and unethical conduct con managed to avoid serious legal consequences for much of his life Trump and con the early years Donald Trump was introduced to Roy Con in the early 1970s during a critical time for Trump's real estate business Trump's Father Fred Trump had already built a substantial real estate Empire in Brooklyn and Queens but young Donald had grander Ambitions aiming to break into the Manhattan Market con became Trump's personal lawyer and Mentor offering not just legal services but also a blueprint for how to navigate the often ruthless world of New York City business and politics at the time Trump was facing a lawsuit from the US Department of Justice for allegedly discriminating against African-Americans in his family's rental properties con advised Trump to countersue the doj for $100 million signaling the kind of aggressive No Holds Barred approach to Legal battles that would become a Hallmark of Trump's style although the counter suit was unsuccessful the case was eventually settled without Trump admitting guilt a tactic that con perfected never concede never apologize and always go on the offensive con's influence on Trump extended far beyond the courtroom he taught Trump the value of controlling the media narrative and projecting strength and confidence even in the face of setbacks con's advice often boiled down to a simple philosophy hit back harder than you're hit this approach became Central to Trump's public Persona especially during his presidency the con Playbook media and public relations con's ability to manipulate the media was another lesson that Trump absorbed Co knew how to use the press to his Advantage turning even negative stories into opportunities to promote his clients or his own interests Trump learned this lesson well consistently using the media to his benefit whether through calculated leaks public feuds or Sensational statements designed to keep him in the headlines con's relationship with the Press was deeply cynical he understood that sensationalism and controversy sold newspapers and he knew how to exploit that Dynamic to distract from scandals or bad press this strategy can be seen in Trump's own dealings with the media particularly during his time as a reality TV star and later as president by staying constantly in the spotlight Trump managed to dominate the news cycle and keep the Public's attention on him often deflecting attention from serious issues or controversies loyal and betrayal con was fiercely loyal to his clients especially Trump and expected the same loyalty in return He thrived on personal connections and maintained a tight circle of powerful allies Trump in turn valued loyalty almost above all else something that became evident throughout his business dealings and later during his time in the White House however the Trump con relationship also highlights the darker side of this loyalty in the mid 1980s as con's legal troubles mounded and his health deteriorated due to complications from AIDS many of his former clients and Associates began to distance themselves from him Trump ever pragmatic eventually cut ties with con as well despite their long history together con who had once been one of the most powerful men in New York was abandoned by many in his final years dying in 1986 largely disgraced con's Fall From Grace did not tarnish Trump's career though in fact Trump's ability to separate himself from con at the right moment while still retaining the lessons he had learn from him was a testament to his own ruthlessness and adaptability traits that con had fostered con's enduring Legacy in Trump's politics although Roy con passed away long before Trump entered the political Arena the tactics he taught Trump remained evident throughout his presidential campaigns and his time in office Trump's instinct to attack his critics never admit wrongdoing and dominate the media cycle can all be traced back to con's influence that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake and that's something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do one of con's most lasting legacies in Trump's career is the way Trump approached legal challenges and political scandals much like con Trump rarely backed down in the face of controversy and often doubled down on his positions even when they were deeply unpopular this strategy proved effective during Trump's campaigns where he embraced his role as a political Outsider and used attacks on the media and political establishment to Rally his supporters Co also taught Trump the importance of cultivating powerful allies while maintaining plausible deniability during his time as president Trump's ability to maintain strong relationship ships with his political base and key figures in the Republican Party despite numerous scandals and controversies echoed the way con built and protected his own network of allies during his legal career Roy con's influence on Donald Trump is undeniable from his early business dealings in New York to his later political career the lessons Trump learned from con about media manipulations aggressive legal strategies and the importance of loyalty have shaped his approach to both business and politics while con's own career ended in disgrace his mentorship helped mold one of the most influential figures of the 21st century leaving a complex and enduring Legacy in American public life