Trump signs order to withdraw U.S. from World Health Organization

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). He criticized the agency for mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and being influenced by member states. The U.S. will stop all financial contributions to the WHO, which currently receives about 18% of its funding from the U.S. This withdrawal will take effect in 12 months. Trump's decision follows previous attempts to exit the WHO in 2020, when he accused the organization of supporting China's misinformation about COVID-19. The WHO has denied these claims and continues to seek data from China regarding the virus's origins.