U.S. to withdraw from WHO, Trump cites mismanagement, unfair contributions
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President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States will exit the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the global health agency’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other health crises.
Trump accused the WHO of operating under “inappropriate political influence” from member states and criticized the U.S.’s financial contributions, which he described as “unfairly onerous” compared to those of other nations like China.
“World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” Trump declared during the signing of an executive order formalizing the withdrawal shortly after beginning his second term as president.
Under the executive order, the U.S. will cease financial contributions to the WHO and terminate its involvement within a year.
As the largest donor, the U.S. contributes approximately 18% of the WHO’s budget, which stood at $6.8 billion for 2024-2025. Trump’s administration also announced plans to halt participation in negotiations on the WHO pandemic treaty and to recall U.S. personnel working with the organization.
The decision could jeopardize critical WHO programs, including those addressing tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other global health emergencies.
Experts warn the move could have wide-reaching implications, as the U.S. plays a pivotal role in global health initiatives.
This announcement follows Trump’s earlier attempts to withdraw from the WHO during his first term in 2020, accusing the organization of aiding China in obscuring the origins of COVID-19—claims the WHO has denied.
