Trump cuts WHO funding from Gavi vaccine alliance

The United States announced on Thursday that it will formally withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council, ending a multi‑year confrontation between the Trump administration and the UN body. The decision, which will take effect on July 1, follows a series of public criticisms by President Donald Trump, who repeatedly accused the Council of chronic bias against Israel and of failing to address human‑rights abuses in other regions. The administration cited the Council’s “disproportionate focus on Israel” and alleged politicization of its agenda as primary reasons for the withdrawal, marking the latest step in a broader effort to curtail U.S. financial contributions and participation in the organization.

The move concludes a pattern of escalating tensions that began in 2017 when the United States blocked the appointment of a new U.S. ambassador to the Council and reduced its annual funding by more than half. In response, several member states expressed concern that the U.S. exit could diminish its ability to influence global human‑rights discussions, while others welcomed the decision as a rebuke of what they view as the Council’s double standards. The United Nations has noted the withdrawal but affirmed that the Council will continue its work, urging all members to uphold universal human‑rights standards regardless of political disagreements.