Donald Trump Announces New US Withdrawal from UNESCO

The United States announced on July 22 its withdrawal from UNESCO, accusing the UN agency of promoting “woke” policies and supporting positions deemed hostile to Israel. This decision, already made in 2017 under the same president, marks a new break with multilateralism. The withdrawal will be effective on December 31, 2026.

Here we go again. US President Donald Trump has once again decided to withdraw the United States from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a White House spokesperson announced on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. This decision, formalized by the US State Department, will take effect on December 31, 2026.

This decision is part of a policy of disengagement from international institutions already initiated during his first term. In 2017, Donald Trump had ordered a first US withdrawal from UNESCO, citing alleged anti-Israeli bias. This withdrawal had taken effect in 2018, before his successor Joe Biden decided to rejoin the organization in 2023.

This time, the Trump administration goes further in its criticism. In a statement to the New York Post, Anna Kelly, Deputy White House Press Secretary, denounced “UNESCO’s support for divisive ‘woke’ cultural and social causes that are completely out of step with the common-sense policies Americans voted for in November.” She affirmed that Donald Trump “will always put America first” and will only commit his country to organizations “aligned with national interests.”

Among the criticisms made by Washington is also the admission of the “State of Palestine” as a full member in 2011, a decision described as “highly problematic” by US authorities. This recognition, according to them, contributed to the dissemination of discourse hostile to Israel within the organization.

UNESCO Director-General, French national Audrey Azoulay, reacted in a statement saying: “As regrettable as it is, this announcement was expected, and UNESCO was prepared for it.” She reiterated that the organization remains determined to pursue its mandate of international cooperation.

Created in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II, UNESCO is responsible for promoting peace through education, science, culture, and communication. Its headquarters are located in Paris.

Shortly after his return to power in January 2025, Donald Trump had signed an executive order mandating an audit within 90 days of US support for various UN agencies, with a view to refocusing American foreign policy on its “strategic interests.”

This withdrawal marks a new turning point in the United States' relationship with the United Nations system and confirms President Trump's desire to redefine the contours of American international engagement.

With Franceinfo