President Donald Trump is withdrawing the United States from UNESCO, citing the agency’s embrace of divisive globalist agendas and anti-Israel bias. “UNESCO supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies Americans voted for,” said White House Deputy Spokesperson Anna Kelly.
The withdrawal takes effect December 31, 2026.
Today, the United States announced our decision to withdraw from UNESCO. Like many UN organizations, UNESCO strayed from its founding mission. Going forward, U.S. participation in international organizations must make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
— Tammy Bruce (@statedeptspox) July 22, 2025
The move is part of Trump’s broader effort to pull the U.S. out of international bodies that prioritize DEI and globalist goals over American sovereignty. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce criticized UNESCO’s focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, calling them incompatible with Trump’s America First doctrine.
The U.S. had previously exited UNESCO under Trump in 2017, only to rejoin during President Biden’s term. Trump also cited UNESCO’s admission of “Palestine” as a key reason for exiting again.
Israeli officials praised the move, while France and UNESCO leadership expressed regret.
