President Trump has decided to pull the US out of UNESCO, restarting a 90-day review that began in February and formally notifying the agency. The move comes as part of his “America First” agenda, expressing concerns that UNESCO’s DEI initiatives and its stance on Israel, Palestine, and China no longer align with U.S. interests.
Could pulling the US out of UNESCO weaken global cultural ties?
The White House criticized UNESCO for pushing what it calls a “woke divisive” agenda and referenced programs like the anti-racism toolkit and the “Mentalities” gender initiative. They also pointed at what they label as a pro-Palestinian tilt, including decisions about heritage sites, and the influence of China, which funs roughly 8% of UNESCO’s budget and holds key leadership roles.
This mark the third U.S. exit: first in 1984, again under Trump in 2017, with re-entry under Biden in 2023. The withdrawal will take effect by the end of 2026 and, although the U.S. now contributes less, its departure still risks weakening UNESCO’s cultural and educational efforts.
