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 Series youtu.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 told The 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

screenshot of MS NOW interview of Texas voters
MS NOW

Texas Woman Has Blunt Correction For Her Conservative Husband After He Backs MAGA Senate Candidate During TV Interview

MS NOW correspondent Rosa Flores was in Brenham County, Texas, on Sunday to speak to voters about the Tuesday Republican Senate candidate runoff between incumbent GOP Senator John Cornyn and controversial Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Flores spoke with a married couple, Gayla and Michael Stefan. Gayla is described as an independent voter while Michael is conservative.

Keep Reading Show less
Drew Carey; Spencer Pratt
Frazer Harrison/WireImage; Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Drew Carey Urges People Not To Vote For 'Serial Scammer' Spencer Pratt For LA Mayor In Blistering Viral Post

Comedian and Price is Right host Drew Carey sounded off on people who plan to vote for or endorse Spencer Pratt—the former reality TV star of The Hills—for mayor of Los Angeles, calling Pratt "some serial scammer without a soul or moral compass."

Pratt announced his mayoral campaign roughly a year after his home was destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire. He traveled to Washington to meet with then-Attorney General Pam Bondi and other federal officials about pursuing an investigation into California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, whom he criticized over their handling of the disaster.

Keep Reading Show less
Donald Trump
Evan Vucci/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

The White House Is Getting Dragged Hard After Bragging About Trump's 'Perfect' Physical

Following President Donald Trump's latest physical examination, the White House was called out for using its official X account to gloat about his "perfect bill of health."

Trump, who turns 80 next month, said on social media yesterday that “everything checked out PERFECTLY” following the fourth publicly-disclosed medical examination of his second term. It was not immediately clear whether the White House would release detailed findings from the president’s physician to back up the claim or specify what tests were included.

Keep Reading Show less
Screenshot of Donald Trump sleeping while Pete Hegseth speaks
@HQNewsNow/X

Video Of Trump Appearing To Fall Asleep During Memorial Day Ceremony For Fallen Soldiers Has People Outraged

President Donald Trump is facing criticism after video footage showed he closed his eyes and appeared to fall asleep at a Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Trump, who earlier that day faced criticism for Truth Social posts attacking Democrats and defending the war in Iran, marked the approaching 250th anniversary of American independence by calling it a “historic milestone” and saying “there could be no Independence Day without Memorial Day,” in tribute to fallen service members.

Keep Reading Show less
Francesca Scorsese and Martin Scorsese (left)  attend a red carpet event as the actor addresses online criticism in a TikTok video (right).
John Shearer/FilmMagic via Getty Images; @francescascorsese/TikTok

Martin Scorsese's Daughter Responds To Cruel Comments About Her Looks With Viral Video—And Fans Aren't Having Any Of The Hate

Francesca Scorsese isn't letting internet trolls have the final word. The content creator and daughter of Martin Scorsese responded to appearance-shaming comments in a viral TikTok, prompting an outpouring of support from fans across the platform.

Last week, it was reported that the actor will appear in Season 2 of Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Keep Reading Show less