Fact Check: the us retires from UNESCO

Fact Check: The U.S. Retires from UNESCO

What We Know

On July 22, 2025, the United States announced its decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), citing that continued involvement is not in the national interest of the U.S. The announcement was made by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, who stated that UNESCO promotes "divisive social and cultural causes" and has an "outsized focus" on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, which contradicts the U.S. "America First" policy (source-1). The withdrawal will take effect on December 31, 2026, and this marks the third time the U.S. has exited UNESCO, having previously withdrawn in 1984 and again in 2018 under President Trump (source-2).

The decision to withdraw is largely attributed to UNESCO's admission of Palestine as a member state, which the U.S. government views as problematic and contributing to anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization (source-2). UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, expressed regret over the decision but noted that the agency had anticipated such a move (source-3).

Analysis

The U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO is a significant political move that reflects ongoing tensions regarding international organizations and U.S. foreign policy. The claim that the U.S. is retiring from UNESCO is substantiated by official statements from the State Department and corroborated by multiple news outlets (source-1, source-2, source-4).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they include official government statements and reputable news organizations. However, it is essential to note the potential bias in the framing of the withdrawal. The U.S. government’s rationale focuses on perceived anti-Israel bias within UNESCO, which has been a recurring theme in U.S. foreign policy discussions regarding international organizations. Critics of the U.S. withdrawal argue that this decision undermines global cooperation in education, science, and culture, and that the agency has made efforts to address concerns about bias (source-3, source-5).

Conclusion

The claim that the U.S. is retiring from UNESCO is True. The official announcement by the U.S. government confirms the decision to withdraw, citing national interests and concerns over the organization's policies. This action reflects a broader trend in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration, characterized by skepticism towards multilateral institutions and a focus on perceived national interests.