President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will once again withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), citing what his administration calls a “woke, anti-American, and anti-Israel” agenda.
The decision follows a 90-day review ordered in February to assess alleged anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiment within the agency. According to the White House, the probe uncovered evidence of ideological bias in UNESCO’s policies, including its promotion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and a growing pro-China and pro-Palestinian tilt.
“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. “This President will always put America First.”
Administration officials pointed to several controversial UNESCO programs, including its 2023 anti-racism toolkit and the 2024 “Transforming MEN’talities” campaign, which urged governments to challenge harmful gender norms and promote equity, even through video games. The White House claims these initiatives reflect “social engineering” inconsistent with U.S. values.
More pointedly, the administration accused UNESCO of repeatedly advancing anti-Israel measures, such as labeling Jewish holy sites as “Palestinian World Heritage” locations and framing Israel’s actions in Gaza without comparable criticism of Hamas. Officials also criticized UNESCO’s language describing the West Bank and East Jerusalem as “occupied Palestinian territory.”
The Trump administration also flagged China’s increasing influence within the organization. Beijing is now the second-largest financial contributor to UNESCO, and Chinese nationals hold high-level positions, including deputy director-general. Officials claim China is using this position to push global narratives that downplay minority repression and align with Communist Party interests.
This marks Trump’s second withdrawal from the agency; he first pulled the U.S. out in 2017, echoing similar concerns about bias. The U.S. had previously exited under President Ronald Reagan in 1983 for comparable reasons.
President Joe Biden had rejoined UNESCO in 2023, arguing that American engagement was essential to counterbalance China’s sway. His administration had also pledged to repay over $600 million in back dues accrued since 2011, when U.S. funding was frozen after UNESCO admitted Palestine as a full member.
With Trump’s new decision, the future of U.S. participation in global cultural and educational initiatives once again hangs in the balance, tied tightly to the ideological fault lines shaping today’s geopolitics.
Written By Rodney Mbua
