General Discussion

The "Roy Cohn handshake" refers to a firm, often physically aggressive grip that Cohn used to assert dominance and establish control. As a notorious political fixer and lawyer, Cohn believed in projecting absolute strength and taught his associates—most famously a young Donald Trump—to project power and aggressively counter-attack.

This specific type of handshake embodies his aggressive personal brand, which heavily influenced the political and business demeanor of his proteges. Additionally, historical photographs frequently capture him demonstrating this signature move, such as a well-known image of Cohn shaking hands with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office.