The legendary anthropologist Jane Goodall, celebrated for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, passed away on October 2 at the age of 91. Known for transforming our understanding of chimpanzees, she also shared her insights about human behavior. Among her many public statements, she offered pointed commentary on former President Donald Trump.
In 2016, during Trump’s first presidential campaign, Goodall drew a comparison between him and the male chimpanzees she had studied. She noted that male chimps perform dramatic displays to assert dominance, such as stamping, slapping the ground, dragging branches, or throwing rocks. Goodall remarked that she saw similar behaviors in Trump, highlighting the use of showy actions to impress rivals and maintain a leadership position.
Years later, in a 2022 interview on MSNBC, Goodall revisited her observations. When shown a clip of Trump hugging the American flag and calling himself a “perfect physical specimen,” she laughed and commented that such displays reminded her of male chimpanzees competing for dominance. She emphasized that these exaggerated gestures are meant to appear larger and more intimidating than reality.
Beyond her observations, Goodall expressed concern about the broader consequences. She called the growing divisiveness in the United States a tragedy, warning that its effects could ripple across the world. Jane Goodall’s legacy goes far beyond politics. Her sharp insights, whether about chimpanzees or humans, reflected her lifelong dedication to understanding behavior, promoting peace, and advocating for a more compassionate world.
