The international community often finds itself perplexed by the diplomatic style of U.S. One day he denounces an ally in the harshest terms; the next he signs what he calls the “best deal ever” with them. This political whiplash, from fury to friendship, may appear random, but it follows a recognizable pattern.
To understand how to navigate this presidency, world leaders must recognize that they are not dealing with a traditional statesman but with a showman whose approach draws from a deeply ingrained playbook. Trump’s diplomacy can be viewed through three lenses: the ruthless mentorship of his lawyer Roy Cohn, his use of provocative language and the theatrical instincts honed during his years as a reality television star. The foundation of Trump’s worldview owes much to Cohn, the infamous political fixer who became his lawyer and mentor.
As Pulitzer Prize-winning author Kai Bird details in his recent biography, “American Scoundrel: Roy Cohn’s Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump,” Cohn was a master of ruthless tactics and media manipulation. Trump regularly sought his advice, absorbing not just his mannerisms but elements of his combative philosophy.
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