Comedian Larry David said former friend Alan Dershowitz "made a deal with the devil" after the lawyer began representing Donald Trump [1, 2, 3].
The rift highlights the deep political divisions affecting personal relationships in the U.S., and the social cost of representing highly polarizing political figures.
David, known for creating "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm," discussed the end of the long-time friendship in interviews reported this week [1, 2]. He said that Dershowitz betrayed his values by defending Trump and other controversial figures [1, 2].
"He made a deal with the devil. Literally," David said [2].
While some reports suggest the "deal" refers to Dershowitz defending Trump in 2020 [2], other reports link the split to the period following the Trump impeachment in 2021 [3]. David said that Dershowitz "only has himself to blame for being ostracised" [1].
David noted that while his television work is centered on conflict, his personal life is typically different. "I have lots of confrontations on my show but rarely in life," David said [3].
The friendship between the comedian and the former Harvard professor ended as a result of these professional choices [1, 2]. David said the lawyer's decision to join Trump's legal team was a fundamental breach of values that made a continued relationship impossible [1, 2].
“"He made a deal with the devil. Literally."”
This public falling-out reflects a broader trend of social fragmentation in the U.S., where political alignment has become a primary litmus test for personal loyalty. For a public figure like David, the break serves as a commentary on the perceived moral cost of legal representation for controversial political leaders.
