US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to initiate the process of withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision, announced shortly after his return to the White House, is one of many executive actions he took on his first day back in office.
“Now that’s a big one,” Trump remarked as he signed the document, signaling his continued dissatisfaction with the global health body. This marks the second time Trump has ordered the US to pull out of the WHO, following a similar move during his first term. That decision was later reversed by President Joe Biden.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the WHO for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing the Geneva-based institution of failing to hold China accountable and for lacking the necessary reforms to effectively manage global health crises. According to the executive order, the US is withdrawing due to “unfair financial contributions” and the WHO’s perceived political bias toward certain member states.
“They wanted us back so badly, so let’s see what happens,” Trump hinted in the Oval Office, leaving open the possibility of a future re-engagement.
The Biden administration had reinstated US involvement in the WHO and contributed nearly 20% of the organization’s $6.8 billion budget in 2023, making the US its largest funder. Public health experts have raised concerns over the decision to withdraw, warning that it could jeopardize global health progress and harm America’s leadership role in tackling diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
Lawrence Gostin, a global public health expert, described the withdrawal as “a catastrophic decision,” arguing that it not only damages global health efforts but also undermines US influence and scientific leadership.
Ashish Jha, former COVID-19 response coordinator under Biden, emphasized the potential risks, saying, “This will harm global health and weaken the fight against infectious diseases while isolating the US on the world stage.”