Roy Cohn: The Controversial Power Broker Behind the Scenes

A Young Star in New York

On a busy street in New York City, a small boy named Roy Marcus Cohn lived in a big brick house. It was 1927, and little Roy was already different from other kids.

Roy's daddy was a judge, and his mommy wanted Roy to be special. She told him every day, "Roy, you're going to be somebody important!"

“My mommy taught me to read when I was very little,” Roy would later tell people. “I could read big books before I went to school!”

Little Roy wasn't like other kids who played with toys. He loved to sit in his daddy's study and look at law books. The words were big, but Roy learned them all!

The Smartest Kid in School

Roy was so smart that he finished high school when he was only 14 years old! That's like finishing 12th grade when most kids are just starting 9th grade.

His teachers would say, "We've never seen anyone like Roy before!"

Things that made Roy special:

He could remember everything he read
He talked like a grown-up
He knew what he wanted to be: a lawyer just like his daddy

Meeting Important People

When Roy went to college, he was the youngest student there. But that didn't stop him! He studied hard and made friends with people who had lots of power.

One day, something big happened. Roy met a man named Senator Joseph McCarthy. This meeting would change Roy's whole life!

“Young man,” Senator McCarthy said, “I think you and I could do great things together!”

Roy smiled. He knew this was his chance to become someone important, just like his mommy always said he would.

Learning About Power

Roy watched how important people acted. He saw how they talked, how they dressed, and how they got what they wanted. He was like a tiny sponge, soaking up everything!

"Power isn't just about being strong," Roy would write in his diary. "It's about being smart and knowing the right people."

At night, Roy would sit by his window in New York City. He would look at all the tall buildings and bright lights. He knew that someday, he would be one of the most powerful people in this big city.

Fun Fact: Roy became a lawyer when he was only 20 years old! Most people have to wait until they’re 25 or older.

Young Roy was just getting started. He had big dreams and wasn't afraid to chase them. The little boy who loved law books was growing up to be exactly what his mommy said he would be – somebody very important.

As Roy walked through the busy streets of New York, he didn't know that soon he would help change American history. But that's a story for another time…

The McCarthy Years

Roy Cohn stepped into his new job with a big smile. He was now working with Senator McCarthy! It was 1950, and Roy was ready to make his mark. ️

Senator McCarthy liked to say there were bad people called Communists hiding in America. Roy helped him look for them. They were like detectives, but not the fun kind.

“We need to protect America,” Roy would say. “That’s why we’re doing this important work!”

The Big Helper

Roy became Senator McCarthy’s right-hand man. Even though Roy was only 23 years old, he acted like he was much older. He wore fancy suits and talked in a loud, strong voice.

Every day, Roy and McCarthy would have big meetings. They called people to come and answer questions. Sometimes these meetings were on TV! Roy liked being on TV – it made him feel important.

“Tell us what you know!” Roy would say to the people they questioned. He wasn’t always nice when he asked.

Making a Name

People started to know who Roy was. Some people liked him, and some didn’t. But everyone knew he was powerful!

Roy had special ways of getting what he wanted:

He talked very fast
He never gave up
He wasn’t afraid of anyone
He knew lots of secrets

Best Friends with Power

Roy and Senator McCarthy became best friends. They went everywhere together. They had lunch at fancy restaurants and rode in big black cars.

But Roy learned something important: being powerful doesn’t mean everyone will like you. Many people were scared of Roy and McCarthy. Some people said they weren’t being fair.

Important Fact: Roy became famous for these big meetings. They were called “hearings,” and they changed many people’s lives.

The Power Game

Roy loved playing what he called “the power game.” He knew just what to say to make people listen to him. He knew how to make big people nervous.

Every morning, Roy would read all the newspapers. He wanted to know everything that was happening. Knowledge was power, and Roy wanted all the power he could get!

“In this town,” Roy would say, “you’re either somebody or you’re nobody. And I’m going to be somebody!”

Changes Coming

But things started to change. People began to think maybe Senator McCarthy and Roy weren’t being very nice. Some brave people stood up to them.

Roy watched as his friend McCarthy started to lose power. It was like watching a big balloon slowly lose air. But Roy wasn’t worried – he had learned a lot about power, and he had plans of his own.

The young boy who loved law books had grown into a man who knew how to use power. He was ready for his next big adventure in New York City, where he would become an even more important lawyer. The city’s bright lights were calling him home… ✨

King of the Courtroom

After leaving Washington, Roy Cohn went back to New York City. He opened his own law office in a tall building. The view from his window showed the whole city!

A Different Kind of Lawyer

Roy wasn’t like other lawyers. He didn’t just help people with small problems. He wanted the biggest, most exciting cases! Some of his clients were:

Rich business owners
Famous movie stars
Big restaurant owners
Important politicians

“If you want to win, you come to Roy!” he would tell people with a big smile.

The Magic Touch

Roy had special ways to win his cases. He was like a magician in the courtroom! He could make judges smile and juries nod their heads. He knew just what to say and when to say it.

Sometimes, Roy would work all night long. He would read every little detail about his cases. His office lights would shine bright while the rest of the city slept.

“Being ready is everything,” Roy would say. “I never walk into court without knowing exactly what I’m going to do!”

Making Friends in High Places

Roy loved going to fancy parties. He would meet important people there. Everyone wanted to know Roy because he could help them with their problems.

He started having dinner at the best restaurants in New York. The waiters all knew his name. They would give him the best table and his favorite drinks without him even asking!

Fun Fact: Roy’s phone never stopped ringing. People called him day and night asking for help!

The Price of Power

But being a powerful lawyer wasn’t always fun. Roy had to work very hard. Sometimes he didn’t sleep much. He drank lots of coffee to stay awake. ☕

Some people didn’t like how Roy did things. They said he played tricks to win his cases. But Roy didn’t care what they said. He just wanted to win!

“Winning is the only thing that matters,” Roy would tell his helpers. “Nobody remembers second place!”

The Growing Legend

Stories about Roy started to spread around New York. Some people said he could make impossible things happen. Others said he knew secrets about everyone important in the city.

Young lawyers wanted to be just like him. They would watch him in court and try to copy how he talked and moved. But nobody could be quite like Roy Cohn!

“There’s only one Roy Cohn,” people would say. “And that’s probably a good thing!”

New Friends, New Power

Roy started meeting new kinds of powerful people. Some weren’t very nice, but they had lots of money and needed help. Roy didn’t care if people were good or bad – he just wanted to help them win their cases.

As the years went by, Roy’s power grew bigger and bigger. He wasn’t just a lawyer anymore – he was becoming a legend in New York City. But with more power came more problems, and Roy would soon face some of his biggest challenges yet…

Behind the Mask

Roy Cohn had a big secret. While he looked strong and brave to everyone else, inside he felt scared and alone. He had to hide who he really was from the world.

Two Different Roys

During the day, Roy was loud and tough in court. At night, he was quiet and different. He went to special parties where he could be himself. But he never talked about these parties to his work friends.

“Nobody can know the real me,” Roy would whisper to his closest friends. “They wouldn’t understand.”

A Lonely Life

Roy lived in a big house, but it felt empty. He had lots of fancy things, but they didn’t make him happy. What he wanted most was to be loved for who he really was.

Sometimes, Roy would look out his window at night and watch happy families walking by. He wished he could have that kind of life too.

“I have everything I wanted,” Roy would say, “but sometimes it feels like nothing at all.”

Getting Sick

One day, Roy started feeling very tired. His body hurt, and he got fevers. The doctors told him he was very sick. But Roy didn’t want anyone to know about his illness.

He kept working hard, even when he didn’t feel good. He took medicine in secret and told everyone he was fine.

Important Note: Roy was scared people would treat him differently if they knew he was sick.

Fighting Back

Roy fought his sickness like he fought his court cases – with all his might! He didn’t give up, even when things got really hard.

He told the doctors he had liver cancer. That wasn’t true, but he thought it sounded better than what he really had. He was still trying to protect his secret.

“I’m not weak,” he would say. “I’ll never be weak!”

True Friends

A few special friends stayed with Roy when he was sick. They didn’t care about his secrets. They just wanted to help him feel better.

These friends showed Roy that some people would love him no matter what. But it was hard for him to trust anyone completely.

One friend said: “Roy was different when we were alone. He was softer, kinder, more real.”

The Heavy Crown

Being powerful started to feel like wearing a heavy crown. Roy had to be strong all the time, even when he felt weak. He had to be tough all the time, even when he wanted to cry.

But under all that toughness was a person who just wanted to be accepted. Roy’s biggest fight wasn’t in any courtroom – it was with himself.

“Sometimes the hardest person to be honest with is yourself,” one of Roy’s friends said later.

As Roy’s sickness got worse, he had to make big choices. Should he keep his secrets? Should he tell the truth? The answers weren’t easy, and time was running out…

Power and Influence

Roy Cohn loved teaching others how to be powerful. One of his most famous students was a young man named Donald Trump. Roy saw something special in Donald – he was hungry to learn and win!

Teaching Trump

Roy met Donald when Donald was just starting in business. Donald’s buildings weren’t very tall yet. Roy taught him many important things:

• Never say sorry
• Always hit back harder
• Make big news with everything you do
• Act like you’re winning, even when you’re not

Special Lessons

“If someone hits you,” Roy would tell Donald, “hit them back ten times harder!” Donald listened carefully and wrote everything down.

Roy showed Donald how to get his name in newspapers. He taught him how to make people talk about him. Soon, everyone in New York knew Donald’s name!

“Roy was the best teacher I ever had,” Donald would say later. “He knew how to win.”

Making Friends in High Places

Roy knew lots of important people. He helped Donald meet them too. They went to fancy parties and special clubs where rich people hung out.

Roy showed Donald how to talk to important people. He taught him how to make them like him and want to help him.

Remember: Roy believed that knowing the right people was more important than being right!

The Magic of Being Bold

Roy loved being bold and loud. He taught others to do the same. “Make noise!” he would say. “Make people notice you!”

Many young lawyers and business people came to Roy for help. They wanted to learn his special ways of winning. Roy liked teaching them his tricks.

“Don’t be afraid to be big,” Roy would tell them. “The world belongs to bold people!”

Roy’s Special Rules

Roy had rules for success. He shared them with people he liked. Here are some of his favorite rules:

“Always dress nice. Talk loud. Never give up. Make people remember you!”

The Price of Power

Being Roy’s student wasn’t easy. He was very tough. He would yell when people made mistakes. But his students learned a lot from him.

Some people didn’t like Roy’s ways. They said he taught people to be mean. But Roy didn’t care what they thought. He only cared about winning.

“Roy made us tough,” one student said. “But maybe we needed to be tough.”

Leaving a Mark

Roy’s students became very powerful. They built big buildings, won big cases, and became famous. Roy was proud of them.

Even when Roy got sick, he kept teaching. He wanted his ideas to live on through his students. And they did – his students still use his lessons today!

“Roy’s voice is still in my head,” Donald Trump once said. “Telling me to never give up.”

As Roy got older, he saw his students succeed in big ways. They became leaders in business and politics. Roy’s ways of winning lived on through them…

The Last Battle

The year was 1986, and Roy Cohn was fighting his toughest battle ever. He wasn’t in a courtroom this time. He was in a hospital bed, very sick with AIDS.

Facing Hard Times

Roy had always been a fighter. But now his body was tired. The doctors tried to help him, but he kept getting weaker. Still, Roy wouldn’t give up!

“I’m not done yet,” Roy would tell his nurses. “I still have work to do!”

Friends Say Goodbye

Many of Roy’s old friends stopped visiting him. But some stayed loyal. They came to his hospital room and held his hand. They remembered the good times.

Donald Trump, his famous student, called often. He wanted to thank Roy for all he had taught him. Roy was proud that his lessons would live on.

“Even when he was very sick, Roy kept fighting,” a nurse said. “He never gave up.”

Looking Back

Roy thought about his life as he lay in bed. He had done so many big things:

• Helped run important trials
• Made powerful friends
• Taught others how to win
• Changed how people played politics

The Last Days

In his final weeks, Roy got visits from priests and rabbis. They talked about life and what happens after. Roy listened but kept his thoughts to himself.

“I have no regrets,” Roy told a friend. “I lived life my way.”

Saying Goodbye

On August 2, 1986, Roy Cohn left this world. He was only 59 years old. But he had lived a very big life.

News of his death was in all the papers. Some people said nice things about him. Others didn’t. But everyone agreed – Roy Cohn had changed America.

The Story Lives On

Today, people still talk about Roy Cohn. Books and movies tell his story. His students remember his lessons. His ways of winning are still used.

“Roy taught us that power is everything,” one student said. “And he showed us how to get it.”

What We Learned

Roy’s life teaches us that one person can change the world. He showed that being bold and never giving up can make dreams come true.

But his story also shows that power comes with a price. Roy won many battles but lost some important ones too. He died alone, but his ideas lived on.

“Roy Cohn changed how people play the game,” a historian said. “For better or worse, we live in the world he helped create.”

Roy’s story reminds us that everyone gets to choose how they want to live. He chose to be bold and tough. His choices made him famous but also caused him pain.

The world still feels Roy’s impact today. His students run big companies and help lead our country. When we see people playing tough in politics or business, we might be seeing a little bit of Roy Cohn’s spirit living on.