The United States, under President Donald Trump, has officially announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing concerns over the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of reforms, and disproportionate financial contributions by the U.S.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order confirming the United States’ departure from the WHO, according to sources including CNN and Reuters. The decision comes as Trump continues his long-standing criticism of the organization, accusing it of mismanagement and political bias.
Trump stated that the WHO had failed in its response to the COVID-19 crisis, alleging that it played a role in enabling China to mislead the global community about the virus’s origins. He also expressed frustration over the financial burden placed on the United States, claiming that the country contributes significantly more funding than other member states, including China.
“The World Health Organization has been stealing from us. Everyone is stealing from the United States. This will not happen again,” Trump declared while signing the order.
Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the WHO since 2020, when he first accused the organization of failing to hold China accountable for its role in the pandemic. Despite repeated calls for reform, he claims the WHO has not addressed concerns over its independence and transparency.
The WHO, however, has denied these allegations, maintaining that it continues to push China for greater transparency regarding COVID-19’s origins. The organization insists that efforts are ongoing to determine whether the virus originated from infected animals or as a result of laboratory research in Wuhan.
The executive order states that the U.S. withdrawal is based on multiple factors, including the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis, its resistance to internal reform, and its susceptibility to political influence from certain member states. The order specifically criticizes the organization’s reliance on China and other nations, which Trump argues undermines its credibility and effectiveness in global health governance.
By signing this order, Trump has initiated a formal withdrawal process, meaning the United States will officially leave the WHO within 12 months. This also means that U.S. financial contributions, which currently make up about 18% of the WHO’s total funding, will cease. The WHO’s budget for the 2024-2025 period stands at approximately $6.8 billion, and the loss of U.S. funding could significantly impact its global health initiatives.
This decision follows another high-profile move by Trump earlier in his new term—his withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. This marks the second time Trump has sought to distance the country from international agreements, reinforcing his stance on reducing U.S. commitments to global pacts that he deems unfair or ineffective.
