Larry David to Dershowitz: ‘You Made a Deal With the Devil’
When Friends Become Enemies: The Larry David and Alan Dershowitz Story
The Short Version
Imagine two neighbors who used to have dinner together and work out at the same gym. Then one of them takes a job that the other person thinks is terrible. They stop talking. One calls the other "disgusting" in a grocery store. Years later, they still aren’t friends.
That’s exactly what happened between Larry David (the guy who created Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Alan Dershowitz (a famous lawyer who used to teach at Harvard).
Who Are These Guys?
Larry David
- Funny guy who co-created Seinfeld (one of the most popular TV shows ever)
- Created and stars in Curb Your Enthusiasm (a show where he plays a grumpy version of himself)
- Known for saying exactly what he thinks, even when it’s awkward
Alan Dershowitz
- Super-smart lawyer who taught at Harvard Law School for decades
- Famous for defending clients in huge, controversial cases
- Has represented: O.J. Simpson, Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein, and Donald Trump
How It All Went Down: A Timeline
-
Years of Friendship
David and Dershowitz were neighbors on Martha’s Vineyard (a fancy island in Massachusetts). They had dinner together 2–3 times every summer. David even used their gym. -
2020: The Turning Point
Dershowitz joins Donald Trump’s legal defense team during Trump’s first impeachment trial. -
2021: The Grocery Store Blowup
They run into each other at a store. Dershowitz says "Hey!" David turns around and walks away.
Dershowitz follows: "Larry, can’t we at least talk?"
David: "No. You’re disgusting." -
2022: Dershowitz Tells His Side
In The New Yorker, Dershowitz says he was hurt. He mentions David used to come over for dinner and workouts all the time. -
2023: A Personal Tragedy
Dershowitz’s son Elon dies from a stroke at age 64. David doesn’t reach out. -
2024: David Speaks Up (Twice)
- First interview (The Atlantic): David says he "regrets not reaching out" after Elon’s death. He quotes his own show: "I think of nice things. I just don’t act on them."
- Next day: David emails the reporter again. He says he feels bad Dershowitz is "ostracized" (left out), but:
"He made a deal with the devil. Literally. And I’d bet the devil hasn’t said a word to him since the impeachment."
- More 2024 Drama for Dershowitz
- April: Switches from Democrat to Republican, calls Democrats "the most anti-Israel party in US history"
- June: Supreme Court rejects his $300 million lawsuit against CNN (he claimed they edited his TV comments to make him look crazy)
Why Did Larry David Get So Mad?
Important Point
Larry David didn’t just dislike a political choice. He felt his friend crossed a moral line by defending Donald Trump—a man David (and many others) views as dangerous to democracy.Dershowitz has a long history of defending controversial, powerful men accused of terrible things. To David, joining Trump’s team wasn’t just a job—it was a betrayal of shared values.
What "Deal With the Devil" Means Here
When David says Dershowitz "made a deal with the devil," he’s not being literal. It’s an old saying that means:
- You gain something (fame, power, money, access)
- But you lose your integrity or compromise your principles
- And the "devil" (Trump, in this metaphor) doesn’t actually care about you once you’ve served your purpose
David’s follow-up jab—"the devil hasn’t said a word to him since the impeachment"—means he thinks Trump dropped Dershowitz like a hot potato after the trial ended.
Summary
| What Happened | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 20+ year friendship ends | Shows how politics can destroy personal bonds |
| Public "you’re disgusting" moment | Rare real-life Larry David confrontation |
| Dershowitz’s son dies; no call from David | Grief makes the rift even sadder |
| David regrets silence, then doubles down | Shows how deep the anger goes |
| Dershowitz switches parties, loses lawsuit | His professional world is also shaking up |
Bottom line: Two old friends broke up over values, loyalty, and what it means to do the right thing. One thinks the other sold out. The other feels abandoned. And the "devil" they’re arguing about? He’s moved on.
FAQ
Were they really that close?
Yes. They were neighbors for years on Martha’s Vineyard. Dershowitz said David came to his house for dinner multiple times every summer and used their private gym. This wasn’t a casual acquaintance.
Why did Dershowitz defend Trump if he’s a Democrat (at the time)?
Dershowitz has always said he defends principles, not people. He argued that the impeachment charges against Trump were unconstitutional. But many (including David) saw it as enabling a dangerous president.
What does "ostracized" mean?
It means left out, excluded, or shunned by a group. Dershowitz lost many liberal friends and speaking gigs after joining Trump’s team.
Did Larry David ever apologize?
Sort of. He said he regretted not calling after Dershowitz’s son died. But the very next day, he sent a harsher message saying Dershowitz "only has himself to blame." So… not really a full apology.
Is this just about Trump?
Mostly, but not entirely. Dershowitz’s client list (Epstein, Weinstein, Simpson) was already controversial. For David, the Trump defense was the final straw—the moment he felt his friend chose power over principle.
Want more stories where real life feels like a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode? Keep watching the news—Larry David is still out there, turning awkward moments into art.