Trump to pull US out of UNESCO over DEI policies, pro-Palestinian, pro-China tilt
Trump ordered a 90-day review of America's presence in UNESCO back in February, with special emphasis on probing any 'anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiment within the organization.'
Upon conducting the review, administration officials took issue with UNESCO's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies as well as its pro-Palestinian and pro-China bias, a White House official told The Post.
Advertisement
5 President Trump will pull the US out of UNESCO again due to their anti-Israel and pro-China stances.
AFP via Getty Images
'President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO – which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November,' White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly said.
'This President will always put America First and ensure our country's membership in all international organizations aligns with our national interests.'
Advertisement
Among the faults cited are UNESCO's publication of an 'anti-racism toolkit' in 2023 and their 2024 'Transforming MEN'talities' initiative, the former of which called on member states to adopt 'anti-racist' policies and compete in a 'race to the top' to be the foremost social justice advocate, answering questions about the history of racism in their jurisdictions and then working to ensure equity.
5 A view of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) headquarters on July 10, 2025 in Paris, France.
VCG via Getty Images
The 'MEN'talities' initiative published a report highlighting the organization's work in India aimed at reshaping how 'men think about gender issues' — especially 'harmful gender norms.'
The gender program also published a video game report last year that looked into how games could 'promote gender equality.'
Advertisement
'It is not only about controlling the negative impacts, but also relying on video games to address socio-cultural stereotypes and encourage positive, antidiscriminatory behaviors,' Assistant-Director General for the Social and Human Sciences Gabriela Ramos said at the time.
5 Aerial view of the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
VCG via Getty Images
Meanwhile, UNESCO used its Executive Board to force through anti-Israel and anti-Jewish actions, including designating Jewish holy sites as 'Palestinian World Heritage' sites, the White House official said.
UNESCO frequently uses language stating that Palestine is 'occupied' by Israel and condemns the Jewish state's war on Hamas, without criticizing the terror group's brutal reign over Gaza.
Advertisement
In addition, Beijing is the second largest funder of UNESCO, with Chinese nationals like deputy director-general Xing Qu in key leadership positions.
5 'This President will always put America First and ensure our country's membership in all international organizations aligns with our national interests,' Anna Kelly said.
Gripas Yuri/ABACA/Shutterstock
'China has leveraged its influence over UNESCO to advance global standards that are favorable to Beijing's interests,' the official said.
The Chinese Communist Party has particularly been criticized for using its influence in UNESCO to downplay the role of minorities like Uyghur Muslims in the nation's history.
Trump initially ordered the US out of UNESCO in 2017, then as now citing anti-Israel bias.
5 Former President Joe Biden ordered the US to rejoin UNESCO in 2023 with the promise of repaying over $600 million in membership dues.
VCG via Getty Images
The US first withdrew from the UN organization in 1983 under former President Ronald Reagan, saying at the time that the organization 'has extraneously politicized virtually every subject it deals with. It has exhibited hostility toward a free society, especially a free market and a free press, and it has demonstrated unrestrained budgetary expansion.'
Advertisement
Former President Joe Biden made the US rejoin UNESCO in 2023, arguing an American presence was needed to counter China's growing hold on the organization.
The Biden administration also vowed to pay back more than $600 million in dues incurred since the US stopped contributing in 2011 due to the inclusion of Palestine as a member.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Roy Cooper, former NC governor, launches US Senate campaign
Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has officially launched his campaign for U.S. Senate, according to a July 28 news release from his campaign. The announcement confirms what's been a highly anticipated next step for the state's former Democratic governor and attorney general. Cooper was first elected governor in 2016 and served two terms. 'I want to serve as your next United States Senator because, even now, I still believe our best days are ahead of us,' Cooper said in the release. Earlier this month, Axios reported that Cooper would be entering the race for the seat currently held by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced in June that he would not seek a third term in office. Tillis' announcement came the day after he voted against advancing President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill," Republicans' massive domestic policy legislation. Michael Whatley, the chair of the Republican National Committee, is also expected to enter the Senate race, according to reporting from Politico. The outlet reported July 24 that Whatley has the backing of Trump, whose daughter-in-law Lara Trump had also been rumored to be considering a bid. In a July 24 social media post, Lara Trump confirmed she would not be seeking the Senate seat. The race between Cooper and Whatley, who previously served as chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, could prove to be 'as close to a toss-up as exists in American politics,' Chris Cooper, a professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University, told the Citizen Times on July 24. Cooper, who is not related to the former governor, said both are 'heavyweight candidates with access to deep pockets and networks.' More: Former Gov. Cooper and RNC Chair Whatley expected to launch bids for Tillis' Senate seat More: NC Gov. Roy Cooper, in final days in office, 'running hard through the tape' Jacob Biba is the Helene recovery reporter at the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jbiba@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: US Senate: Roy Cooper, former NC governor, officially begins campaign
Newsweek
2 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Elon Musk Weighs In on Potential Ghislaine Maxwell Trump Pardon
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Elon Musk has weighed in on the possibility of President Donald Trump issuing a pardon to Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A user on X posted a meme that suggested Trump would pardon Maxwell after she "names a bunch of Democrats" and says Trump "did nothing wrong." Musk responded to the post early Monday with a bull's-eye emoji. Newsweek reached out to Musk and the White House via email for comment outside regular office hours. Why It Matters Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. She has appealed her case to the Supreme Court, which has not yet decided whether to take up the case. Maxwell was questioned by the Department of Justice last week as the Trump administration continues to face pressure to release the government's files on the investigation into Epstein, after the DOJ and FBI said in a July 7 memo that Epstein did not have a list of clients and that no additional records would be released to the public. Questioned by reporters on Friday, Trump did not rule out the possibility of pardoning Maxwell. Musk, once a staunch ally of Trump and the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, is among those calling for the release of the files. During his falling out with Trump last month, Musk said without evidence in a since-deleted social media post that the Epstein files had not been released because Trump was in them. The president dismissed that claim, saying he "had nothing to do with it." Elon Musk participates in a news conference in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025. Elon Musk participates in a news conference in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025. Allison Roberts/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Trump on Friday deflected reporters' questions about pardoning Maxwell, saying that "I'm allowed to do it, but it's something I have not thought about." He spoke as Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Maxwell at a Florida federal courthouse for a second day. Blanche said on social media last week that Maxwell would be interviewed because of Trump's directive to gather and release any credible evidence about others who may have committed crimes. Maxwell's attorney, David Markus, told reporters that Maxwell answered questions "honestly, truthfully, to the best of her ability." What People Are Saying House Speaker Mike Johnson said on NBC's Meet the Press, when asked if he was open to a pardon or commutation for Maxwell: "If you're asking my opinion, I think 20 years was a pittance. I think she should have a life sentence at least. "I mean, think of all these unspeakable hard to put into words how evil this was, and that she orchestrated it and was a big part of it, at least under the criminal sanction, I think is an unforgivable thing. So again, not my decision, but I have great pause about that as any reasonable person would." Maxwell's lawyer, David Markus, told reporters on Friday that Maxwell has endured "terrible, awful conditions for five years." "We just ask that folks, look at what she has to say with an open mind, and that's what Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has promised us, and everything she says can be corroborated, and she's telling the truth," Markus said. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Thursday on X: "Today, I met with Ghislaine Maxwell, and I will continue my interview of her tomorrow. The Department of Justice will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time." What Happens Next It's unclear whether Trump will issue a pardon or commutation for Maxwell, but he is likely to continue facing questions about it in the coming days.
The Hill
4 minutes ago
- The Hill
Trump turns against right-wing media and his own supporters over Epstein
President Trump is a 79-year-old lame-duck president, approaching a difficult midterm in which he is likely to lose his Republican House majority. To add to that is the hardball political reality behind his failing effort to hush the scandal surrounding the decased sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein: The right-wing talking heads with the biggest audiences are starting to turn on him. Perhaps they are having pangs of conscience. Perhaps they are starting to think about their paychecks, their influence and their future livelihoods once Trump exits the stage. Whatever their motives, those top voices in the Trump media echo chamber deserve credit for keeping their spotlight on the Epstein case. And it is a good-faith effort, because the central truth is that countless young women were abused. It is deeply troubling that the justice system failed those young women. The plea deal given to Epstein in 2008, which allowed him to plead guilty to prostitution and not more serious charges of sex-trafficking, can only be politely described as 'suspicious.' Even Epstein's death by suicide prompted reasonable doubt and questions about possible foul play. Huge payments to Epstein by several of the nation's richest men remain unexplained to this day. And both Trump and former President Bill Clinton had close personal ties to Epstein. Since World War II, the U.S. media has had to fight the government to learn the truth about the Kennedy assassination, President Nixon's role in the Watergate scandal and bogus claims that weapons of mass destruction were secretly held in Iraq. Americans searching for hidden truths kept digging while most big newspapers and broadcast networks played the whole thing down as a kooky preoccupation for weirdos. Without strong investigative reporting, a hothouse culture of conspiracy theories grew on supermarket scandal sheets and extremist radio shows. With the rise of the internet, the conspiracy culture also took root on websites and podcasts. Beyond new technology, the rise of conservative media is tied to its 'free-for-all' embrace of conspiracy theories that generated click-bait and created cults of true believers. Today, the biggest papers and networks are in the background. They follow stories from conservative media as the authentic voice of the right-wing base that allows Trump to dominate the Republican Party. Even if those stories are false, they are now news. They gained in strength when Trump's supporters believed the lie that the 2020 election had been stolen and some attacked police officers as they stormed the U.S. Capitol. The Epstein case is an earthquake for Trump and his base because the man now keeping secrets is the one who was previously advertised by conservative media as their dragon-slayer. He was elevated as a counterforce to the big newspapers and the elite, highly educated people who dismissed the common man's search for truth. Now Trump is busy attacking his own followers as foolish for buying 'into this 'bulls—', hook, line and sinker' and called them 'weaklings.' He is also trying to distract his fans by releasing new files on Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination and sending out minions to make baseless, long-dismissed charges of treason against former President Barack Obama. Trump has also filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its owner Rupert Murdoch for reporting that Trump once sent a 'bawdy birthday card' to Epstein. (Full disclosure: Murdoch's News Corp also owns the New York Post and Fox News Media, where I have served as a political analyst for nearly three decades.) Trump's strategy of distraction is nothing new. Fifty-five years ago, Republican Vice President Spiro Agnew tried to deflect attention from his own corruption scandal by attacking the media, calling them 'the nattering nabobs of negativism.' It didn't work. Agnew ultimately resigned the vice presidency in disgrace rather than face prosecution for his crimes. Thirty-three years ago, Republican President George H.W. Bush attempted to revive his reelection campaign in the face of indictments tied to the Iran-Contra scandal. He handed out bumper stickers at rallies with the slogan, ' Annoy the Media, Re-Elect Bush.' The conservative-slanted media was still in its infancy when Agnew and Bush made their feeble attempts at distraction. Now, Trump is aiming his fire and fury at a full-grown conservative media ecosystem. These are the very loud voices that elevated him, elected him and re-elected him. One of the MAGA media universe's core narratives is that Epstein ran an underage sex trafficking ring for the richest and most powerful people in the country — and that the government was covering it up. Two of the loudest voices promoting this theory were Kash Patel and Dan Bongino, now serving as director and deputy director of the FBI, respectively. 'I say this to my Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible: There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain,' former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) famously said during hearings on the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021. She is looking like a prophet. In a striking exchange last week, MAGA-friendly podcast host Tim Dillon revealed that Vice President JD Vance invited him to a private dinner to spin him on the Epstein story. When the vice president is deployed to sway a podcaster, it only reinforces the perception that the Trump administration is involved in a cover-up. Right-wing voices are right to keep the Epstein story alive. Even if it is only to keep the clicks coming, it must also be said that they are heeding Cheney's warning about 'dishonor.'
