Before her death, Jane Goodall, renowned anthropologist and conservationist, shared her critical views on Donald Trump, comparing him to male chimpanzees in their dominance rituals. Read more about her remarks.
Jane Goodall, the renowned British anthropologist and conservationist best known for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, passed away on October 2, 2025, at the age of 91. Goodall’s remarkable legacy in animal behavior and conservation left an indelible mark on the world, but in her later years, she also shared her candid thoughts on human behavior—specifically about Donald Trump.
While she was celebrated for her work in the animal kingdom, Goodall wasn’t shy about speaking her mind on societal issues. In recent years, she became outspoken about her views on Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, and her opinions were far from flattering.
Goodall’s 2016 Comments on Trump’s Behavior
In 2016, during Trump’s first presidential campaign, Goodall made a striking comparison between the candidate and male chimpanzees. She drew attention to what she observed as dominance rituals in chimpanzee behavior, which she argued were similar to Trump’s actions during his campaign.
She explained, “In many ways the performances of Donald Trump remind me of male chimpanzees and their dominance rituals.” Goodall elaborated on this, telling The Atlantic:
“In order to impress rivals, males seeking to rise in the dominance hierarchy perform spectacular displays: stamping, slapping the ground, dragging branches, throwing rocks. The more vigorous and imaginative the display, the faster the individual is likely to rise in the hierarchy, and the longer he is likely to maintain that position.”
Her comparison raised eyebrows at the time, and it was a remark that continued to spark debate as Trump’s political career unfolded.
Goodall’s 2022 Remarks on Trump
Years later, in 2022, Goodall was asked about her earlier comments when she appeared on MSNBC. Host Ari Melber played a clip of Trump hugging and kissing the American flag, calling himself a “perfect physical specimen”. Goodall couldn’t help but draw a parallel to her earlier thoughts.
She 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 also addressed her concerns about the divisiveness Trump’s actions were creating in America, stating:
“I see that the divisiveness that’s being created in America is a tragedy and it is a tragedy that can have a ripple effect around the world.”
Goodall’s Legacy and Impact
Goodall’s criticisms of Trump were only a small part of her broader advocacy for environmental and social change. She spoke out on a variety of issues, including conservation, animal rights, and the importance of empathy in human society. Her legacy is one of compassion, science, and action—encouraging individuals to connect with nature and work toward a better world.
Goodall’s final reflections on Trump provide insight into her belief that leadership and human behavior should be guided by empathy, respect, and a desire for cooperation, rather than by force or dominance.
