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Trump Calls for WHO Replacement, Cites Billions in Costs

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2026/ .. for-who-replacement-cites-billions-in-costs.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, February 20th 2026 at 17:42 GMT by The Independent
      Locales: District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, UNITED STATES

Manchester, NH - February 20, 2026 - Former President Donald Trump reignited the debate surrounding the World Health Organization (WHO) this week, claiming that establishing a replacement for the global health body would place a substantial financial burden on American taxpayers, potentially costing "billions and billions of dollars." Speaking at a rally in New Hampshire on Wednesday, Trump continued his long-standing criticisms of the WHO, particularly its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and perceived alignment with China.

Trump's comments come amidst a growing, though often politically charged, discussion about the effectiveness of international organizations and the balance between global cooperation and national sovereignty. While President Joe Biden reversed Trump's 2020 decision to withdraw the US from the WHO shortly after taking office, the underlying concerns raised by Trump - and echoed by some policymakers and public health experts - haven't entirely dissipated.

The core of Trump's argument, as presented on Fox News, centers around the perceived failures of the WHO during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. He specifically alleges the organization was slow to recognize the severity of the virus and was unduly influenced by China, hindering an effective global response. These accusations largely stemmed from the WHO's initial reluctance to immediately declare a pandemic and its reliance on information provided by Chinese authorities in the crucial early weeks of the outbreak. Critics point to instances where the WHO seemingly echoed Chinese narratives regarding the virus's origin and transmissibility.

However, the WHO defends its actions, arguing that it operated within the constraints of available information and that its primary goal was to facilitate international cooperation, which required maintaining communication with all member states, including China. The organization also emphasizes the complexities of gathering accurate information during a novel outbreak and the challenges of balancing scientific rigor with the need for timely action.

Trump's suggestion of creating a new global health organization raises significant logistical and financial hurdles. Establishing such an entity would require not only securing the buy-in of numerous nations but also building a comprehensive infrastructure - including scientific expertise, surveillance systems, and emergency response capabilities - from the ground up. The estimated cost of "billions" reflects the sheer scale of such an undertaking. Experts suggest that duplicating the WHO's existing infrastructure and global network would be significantly more expensive than reforming it.

The financial implications are compounded by questions of funding. Currently, the WHO is financed through a combination of assessed contributions from member states and voluntary contributions from various sources, including foundations and private donors. A new organization would need to establish a similar funding model, potentially competing with the WHO for resources and creating further fragmentation in global health security.

Beyond the financial concerns, the geopolitical implications of establishing a rival organization are considerable. Such a move could exacerbate tensions between the US and China and further undermine international cooperation on critical global health issues. Some analysts fear it could lead to the creation of competing health standards and surveillance systems, hindering the ability to effectively respond to future pandemics.

The debate over the WHO's future is likely to continue, particularly as the world prepares for the next inevitable pandemic. While complete replacement may prove impractical and counterproductive, calls for substantial reforms within the organization are gaining momentum. These proposed reforms include increasing transparency in decision-making, strengthening independent oversight mechanisms, and reducing reliance on funding from any single member state. The challenge lies in finding a balance between holding the WHO accountable and preserving its vital role in coordinating global health efforts.