The White House has announced that President Donald Trump will once again withdraw the United States from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), following a review that raised concerns over the agency’s promotion of “woke” initiatives and alleged political bias.
This marks the third time the U.S. has pulled out of UNESCO, and the second under Trump. During his first term, Trump withdrew from the agency in 2017 over what he described as persistent anti-Israel bias. That move was reversed by President Joe Biden, who rejoined in 2023 to counter growing Chinese influence.
White House Criticism of UNESCO
“President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO — which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November,” said White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly in a statement to The New York Post.
“This President will always put America First and ensure our country’s participation in international organizations aligns with U.S. national interests,” she added.
The administration’s review pointed to UNESCO’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, along with what officials described as a pro-China and pro-Palestinian tilt, as key reasons behind the withdrawal.
Trump has taken a hardline stance against DEI efforts, arguing they push a partisan, left-leaning agenda and distract from practical governance and public priorities. His administration has made similar moves to eliminate DEI initiatives in federal agencies, public education, and corporate governance.
UNESCO Pushes Back
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed deep regret over Trump’s decision and pushed back on the White House’s accusations.
“This decision contradicts the fundamental principles of multilateralism and may first and foremost affect our many partners in the United States — communities working on World Heritage designations, Creative City programs, and academic partnerships,” Azoulay said in a statement.
She emphasized that the organization has implemented significant reforms and diversified its funding since the last U.S. withdrawal, and she rejected claims of bias.
“The reasons put forward by the United States are the same as in 2017, even though the situation has changed. UNESCO now provides a rare space for constructive, action-oriented multilateralism,” Azoulay said.
She also noted that UNESCO has made significant contributions to Holocaust education and efforts to combat antisemitism — areas the U.S. had previously supported.
A History of U.S. Exits from UNESCO
This latest withdrawal will take effect at the end of December 2026.
The U.S. has a long and complicated history with UNESCO. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan withdrew over concerns of mismanagement and Soviet influence. The U.S. rejoined under President George W. Bush in 2003.
Trump’s first UNESCO withdrawal took place in 2017 and became official in 2018, citing anti-Israel sentiment. The U.S. — along with Israel — stopped funding the agency in 2011 after it admitted Palestine as a member state.
Trump’s renewed withdrawal was widely expected after his administration launched a fresh review of American involvement in the agency earlier this year — especially given that Biden’s decision to rejoin was a highly visible part of his foreign policy agenda.
What’s Next
While the withdrawal won’t take effect until late 2026, the move signals Trump’s continued skepticism of multilateral organizations and his broader strategy of removing U.S. participation from institutions he views as unaccountable or ideologically biased.
Critics warn that such exits reduce U.S. global influence and open the door for rivals like China to expand their sway in international organizations. Trump’s team, however, insists that these moves are necessary to protect American interests and taxpayer dollars.
