In a rally held on Saturday in Las Vegas, President Donald Trump suggested he may consider rejoining the World Health Organization (WHO), just days after he ordered the United States’ exit from the global health body. The decision to leave the WHO was initially made in response to what Trump described as the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its handling of other international health crises.
“Maybe we would consider doing it again, I don’t know. Maybe we would,” Trump told supporters. However, he emphasized that any potential re-entry would depend on the WHO making significant changes. “They would have to clean it up,” he added, signaling his dissatisfaction with the WHO’s current approach.
The U.S. is set to officially exit the WHO on January 22, 2026, following Trump’s announcement earlier this week, which came after his inauguration for a second term. The decision marks the culmination of a longstanding criticism by Trump, who has repeatedly criticized the WHO for its response to the pandemic and its perceived favoritism towards China. Trump’s administration had previously paused U.S. funding to the organization, arguing that the WHO had failed to hold China accountable for its role in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak.
As the largest financial contributor to the WHO, the United States provides around 18% of its total funding. For the 2024-2025 period, the WHO’s budget has been set at $6.8 billion, with the U.S. contributing a significant portion of that sum. Trump has expressed frustration over the fact that the U.S. contributes more to the WHO than China, despite China having a far larger population.
During his Las Vegas speech, Trump further reiterated his dissatisfaction with the imbalance, calling for a more equitable distribution of responsibilities and contributions among member nations.
In addition to discussing the WHO, Trump also addressed the issue of international investment. He announced plans to ask Saudi Arabia to increase its investment in the U.S. to $1 trillion, up from the previously pledged $600 billion. The Saudi government had recently communicated its intentions to invest heavily in the U.S., with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman telling Trump that the kingdom would expand its trade and investment commitments over the next four years. Trump welcomed the potential boost to the U.S. economy, framing it as a positive development for American growth.
While Trump’s comments on the WHO and Saudi investments dominate the headlines, they also underscore the broader theme of his foreign policy approach, which prioritizes American interests and a more transactional view of international relationships.
As the U.S. heads toward its scheduled withdrawal from the WHO in 2026, the global community remains uncertain about the long-term effects on international public health initiatives. Trump’s remarks leave open the possibility of a shift in policy, should reforms be made within the organization. However, for now, the U.S. seems set on its path of distancing itself from the WHO’s leadership, with Trump continuing to press for changes in the global health body’s operations and funding model.
