Trump Administration’s Bold Bid for WHO Overhaul with American Leadership

 

The Trump team is reportedly considering a sweeping plan to reform the World Health Organization (WHO) that could include placing an American at its helm. According to sources and a proposal document reviewed by Reuters , the plan—circulated among Trump’s advisors before his January 20 inauguration—suggests that the U.S. should either demand significant reforms or risk withdrawing its membership from the global health agency.

Central to the proposal is the idea of appointing a U.S. special envoy to negotiate changes with the WHO and pushing for an American to eventually take on the role of director-general when Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ term ends in 2027. The administration’s earlier executive order to exit the WHO, which accused the agency of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and succumbing to undue foreign influence, would have cost the WHO its largest funder—the United States contributes roughly 18% of its overall funding.

While the reform proposal is not yet finalized, the move underscores a broader strategy by the Trump team to reshape global health governance in a manner that aligns more closely with U.S. interests. Lawmakers and public health experts remain divided over the plan, with some warning that leaving the WHO or forcing abrupt reforms could jeopardize global efforts to manage health crises effectively.

As discussions continue behind closed doors, the administration has stated it will review current processes and healthcare bodies to determine the next steps in what could mark a dramatic shift in international health policy.