Donald Trump, now newly inaugurated for a second term, has signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Upon signing the order in the Oval Office, Trump remarked, “Oooh, that’s a big one,” as he continued issuing a series of executive actions on his first day back in office.
This marks the second time Trump has initiated the U.S. exit from the WHO. During his first term, he criticized the organization for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing it of being “China-centric.” He had started the withdrawal process, but his successor, President Joe Biden, reversed the decision and restored U.S. membership.
By taking this step on his first day in office, Trump is signaling a firm commitment to severing ties with the global health body. However, he hinted at a possible future reconsideration, stating, “They wanted us back so badly, so we’ll see what happens.”
According to the executive order, the withdrawal is based on “the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states.” The order also cited the financial burden placed on the U.S., which has historically been the largest contributor to the WHO’s $6.8 billion annual budget.
Under Biden, the U.S. continued its role as the organization’s top funder, contributing nearly one-fifth of its budget in 2023.
Public health experts have warned that withdrawing from the WHO could have significant consequences for global and domestic health. Lawrence Gostin, a global health law expert at Georgetown University, called the move “a cataclysmic presidential decision,” warning that it would not only harm global health efforts but also diminish U.S. leadership in scientific and medical advancements.
Similarly, Ashish Jha, former COVID-19 response coordinator under Biden, stated that the decision could undermine progress in combating diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
