Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Jane Goodall Likens Trump To A 'Male Chimpanzee' After Watching Montage Of His Behavior–And Yeah, That Tracks

Jane Goodall with chimp in the background; MSNBC screenshot of Donald Trump
Greg Wood/AFP via Getty Images; MSNBC/YouTube

On The Beat with Ari Melber, Jane Goodall analyzed Trump's behavior as akin to a male chimp 'competing for dominance with another.'

Renowned primatologist and environmental activist Jane Goodall likened former Republican President Donald Trump to a "male chimpanzee" after watching a montage of his behavior during an interview on MSNBC.

Speaking on The Beat with Ari Melber, Goodall said Trump's behavior is not unlike the kid "a male chimpanzee will show when he is competing for dominance with another.”


Goodall is, of course, the expert. She is considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees and is best known for her 60-year study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees since she first went to Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania in 1960, where she witnessed human-like behaviours amongst chimpanzees, including armed conflict.

Goodall made the observation after Melber played her a montage that showed Trump stalking behind Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during a 2016 debate, hugging and kissing the American flag and calling himself a “perfect physical specimen.”

You can hear what she said in the video below.

Hot Earth Truth: Jane Goodall On Chimps, Conservation And Runaway Capitalism | Summit Seriesyoutu.be

When asked for her opinion on Trump's behavior, Goodall said:

“I see the same sort of behavior as a male chimpanzee will show when he is competing for dominance with another.”
“They’re upright, they swagger, they project themselves as really more large and aggressive than they may actually be in order to intimidate their rivals."

Goodall later commented that "the divisiveness that's being created" in the United States is "a tragedy... that can have ripple effects around the world."

It was a striking observation and most people couldn't help but laugh and agree with it.


Goodall's observation about Trump indicates her opinion has not changed significantly since 2016, when she toldThe Atlantic that Trump's controversial antics "remind me of male chimpanzees and their dominance rituals."

Noting that male chimpanzees seek to "rise in the dominance hierarchy" by "stamping," "slapping the ground," "dragging branches," and even "throwing rocks," Goodall added that an individual "is likely to rise in the hierarchy" and "maintain that position" the more performative their display.

More from People/donald-trump

Hugh Jackman with Emma Corrin
Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage/GettyImages

Emma Corrin Reveals 'Moving Advice' Hugh Jackman Gave Them Ahead Of 'Deadpool & Wolverine'

Non-binary actor Emma Corrin shared the "moving advice" that their Deadpool & Wolverine co-star imparted to them ahead of the MCU film's debut this weekend.

Corrin is making their MCU debut playing supervillain Cassandra Nova in the sequel to the Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kim Burrell
Carol Lee Rose/Getty Images

Gospel Singer Who Called Homosexuality A 'Perversion' Apologizes To LGBTQ+ Community

Kim Burrell is apologizing to the LGBTQ+ community for hateful comments she made during a sermon in 2016.

The gospel singer took the stage at the Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Saturday to accept the Aretha Franklin Icon Award, and in her speech, she took a moment to apologize in hopes of "bridge-building and listening to each other."

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Kamala Harris and Newsmax chyron
Newsmax

Newsmax Tried To Frighten Viewers With 'Harris Facts' Graphics—And It Totally Backfired

The far-right outlet Newsmax was widely mocked for trying to frighten viewers by sharing on-screen "Harris Facts" graphics as Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at her first rally as the presumptive presidential nominee.

Harris has generated a whirlwind of attention and is weathering attacks from the right wing since President Joe Biden announced he would drop out of the 2024 race and endorsed her to be his successor.

Keep ReadingShow less
Russell Brand; Kamala Harris
Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy; Scott Olson/Getty Images

Russell Brand Dragged For Cringey Error-Ridden Post Trying To Mock Kamala Harris And Democrats

The right is hoppin' mad about Vice President Kamala Harris being the presumptive Democratic nominee for President now that Joe Biden has stepped down.

And in far-right influencer and comedian Russell Brand's case, it had him so upset he forgot how to do words.

Keep ReadingShow less
Young boy angry about a closed playground
Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

The Pettiest Things People Still Hold A Grudge About

We all know that some things and some people are not worth getting upset or worrying over.

But there are some slights that, man oh man, the only thing we can do is stay angry.

Keep ReadingShow less