Fact Sheet: U.S. Withdrawal from the World Health Organization

Fullfilling a Promise to America

On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14155 formally initiating the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO).  This decision was driven by profound failures in the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic originating in Wuhan, China; its persistent refusal to implement necessary reforms; and its lack of accountability, transparency, and independence. In fulfillment of this directive and following the required one-year notice period, the United States Government formally exited from WHO on January 22, 2026.  

To fulfill President Trump’s Executive Order, the United States Government has taken the following actions:

• All U.S. government funding to the WHO has been terminated.
• U.S. personnel and contractors assigned to or embedded with the WHO have been recalled from the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and WHO offices worldwide.
• Hundreds of U.S. engagements with WHO have been suspended or discontinued.
• The U.S. has ceased official participation in WHO-sponsored committees, leadership bodies, governance structures, and technical working groups.

Withdrawal from WHO has been a stated priority for the Trump Administration since 2020. During his first term, President Trump sought to withdraw the U.S. from WHO over its response to COVID-19.

Protecting Americans as We Enter a New Chapter

Following its withdrawal from the WHO, the U.S. remains the world’s leading authority in public health.  The U.S. will continue to ensure rapid detection and response to infectious disease outbreaks, strengthen global biosecurity coordination, and drive health innovation. Through targeted global cooperation, these efforts will protect Americans while delivering shared security and measurable benefits to U.S. allies.

Accountability and Transparency

Withdrawing from WHO restores long-overdue accountability and transparency for U.S. taxpayers. Although the WHO is comprised of 194 member states, the U.S. has for decades carried a disproportionate share of the organization’s financial burden.

In recent years, U.S. assessed contributions (mandatory dues) averaged approximately $111 million annually. In addition, the United States provided voluntary contributions averaging roughly $570 million per year—amounting to billions of dollars over time—often exceeding the combined contributions of many other member states.

For decades, the United States has been the world’s largest and most consequential contributor to global health, saving millions of lives, leading emergency responses to outbreaks and pandemics, and driving historic eradication efforts such as smallpox and polio. Following its withdrawal from the WHO, the United States will continue to lead global health efforts independently—engaging partners directly, deploying resources efficiently, and ensuring accountability to the American people outside of WHO structures.

Completing the Transition

Following its formal withdrawal from WHO in January 2026, the United States has completed the legal withdrawal process, ending its membership, governance participation, and funding contributions.