Larry David and Alan Dershowitz: A Friendship Fractured Over Politics

Larry David, creator of *Curb Your Enthusiasm* and *Seinfeld*, and Alan Dershowitz, former Harvard law professor and high-profile defense attorney, ended a decades-long friendship after Dershowitz joined former President Donald Trump’s legal team during the first impeachment trial in 2020. The disagreement erupted publicly on Martha’s Vineyard in 2021, where David called Dershowitz “disgusting.” Dershowitz confirmed the exchange, recalling that David walked away after being asked to talk. The two have not spoken since, and both have spoken publicly about the split in recent profiles for *The Atlantic*.

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David and Dershowitz were neighbors on Martha’s Vineyard for years, often sharing meals and workouts. Dershowitz’s legal résumé includes defending Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, O J Simpson, and Harvey Weinstein. His decision to serve on Trump’s defense team in 2020 was the catalyst for David’s condemnation, which he framed as a “deal with the devil.” The personal rift was amplified when Dershowitz’s son Elon died of a stroke in 2022; David later admitted he regretted not reaching out.

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• 2020 – Dershowitz joins Trump’s defense team for the first impeachment trial.

Variety Magazine

• 2021 – Heated argument on Martha’s Vineyard; David calls Dershowitz “disgusting.”

Variety Magazine

• 2022 – Dershowitz recounts the incident in an interview with *The New Yorker*; David discusses the fallout in a new *Atlantic* profile.

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• 2022 – Dershowitz’s son Elon dies at age 64; David later expresses regret for not offering condolences.

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• June 2026 – The U.S. Supreme Court denies Dershowitz’s request to revive a $300 million defamation lawsuit against CNN.

The Guardian

He expressed sympathy for Dershowitz after his son’s death but maintains that Dershowitz “only has himself to blame” for the friendship’s end.

The Guardian

He also expressed hurt over David’s lack of contact after his son’s passing.

The Wrap

In June, he sought to revive a $300 million defamation suit against CNN, alleging edited remarks that suggested he “had lost his mind”; the Supreme Court rejected the request.

The Guardian

• “I certainly regret not [reaching out],” — Larry David

The Guardian

• “Larry David doesn’t talk to me anymore,” — Alan Dershowitz, trump lawyer

Variety Magazine

• “I don’t know why he’s still thinking and talking about me,” — Larry David

The Wrap

The public unraveling of a long-standing personal bond between two prominent cultural figures underscores how political affiliations can strain private relationships. Their exchange has been widely reported in entertainment and news outlets, highlighting the intersection of celebrity, law, and partisan politics. The episode also draws attention to Dershowitz’s broader legal battles and recent political realignment, which may influence public perception of his advocacy work.

The Guardian