President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has confirmed plans to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) on 20 January, 2025, aligning the move with his inauguration. The decision, initially pursued during Trump’s first term in 2020, was reported by The Financial Times.
The U.S., as the largest contributor to the WHO, accounted for 16% of the organization’s funding during the 2022–2023 period. Analysts warn that a sudden departure could destabilize global health efforts, leaving a substantial gap in financing and leadership, particularly during future public health emergencies.
Trump has long criticized the WHO, particularly over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its alleged ties to China. In a statement, he remarked, “Unfortunately, the World Health Organization has failed badly… not only in its response to COVID-19 but to other health crises in recent decades,” emphasizing a need for the organization to distance itself from the Chinese Communist Party.
The move marks a stark contrast to President Joe Biden’s decision to rejoin the WHO on his first day in office in 2021. Biden’s reinstatement highlighted a commitment to global health collaboration, but Trump’s proposed exit signals a pivot toward unilateral health policies.
Health experts have voiced grave concerns over the potential impact of the withdrawal. Lawrence Gostin, a professor at Georgetown University specializing in global health law, described the move as “catastrophic” for the WHO, saying it would leave a “huge vacuum” in global health leadership and financing.
Ashish Jha, former COVID-19 response coordinator under the Biden administration, echoed these fears, emphasizing the importance of U.S. engagement in global health organizations. “If you’re not engaged in these institutions, you do not have ears to the ground when the next outbreak happens,” Jha warned.
While some members of Trump’s team advocate for reforming the WHO from within, proponents of a full withdrawal appear to dominate the conversation, suggesting the decision is likely to proceed.
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