Rubio criticizes WHO’s Ebola response amid U.S. public health funding cuts

Rubio’s Criticism of WHO Amid U.S. Funding Cuts

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the World Health Organization (WHO) for its delayed response to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda during a speech at the U.S. embassy in Rome on May 8, 2026. His remarks, which called the WHO’s identification of the outbreak ‘a little late,’ were reported by The Guardian. These comments match the Trump administration’s broader strategy to reduce U.S. involvement in multilateral health organizations, which the administration has accused of inefficiency. The State Department announced plans to fund up to 50 Ebola treatment centers in the DRC with $13 million in initial aid, though Rubio acknowledged the logistical challenges of operating in a war-torn region. This marks a change from previous U.S. policies, where the CDC and WHO often worked together on outbreak responses. Critics argue that the administration’s cuts to public health funding and withdrawal from the WHO have weakened global disease containment capabilities.

“'a little late,'”

Echoes of the 2014 Ebola Outbreak

The current controversy resembles the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which exposed gaps in U.S. global health preparedness. During that crisis, the Obama administration faced criticism for its delayed response and reliance on international partners. A 2015 study in PS: Political Science & Politics noted tensions in the global public health space, with critics arguing that budget cuts to the WHO and other agencies hindered outbreak response efforts. The 2014 outbreak resulted in over 11,000 deaths and highlighted the importance of rapid international coordination. However, the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the WHO in 2024—reversing a $1 billion annual funding commitment under Biden—has raised concerns about the U.S. abandoning its role in global health security. The WHO’s recent declaration of the DRC and Uganda outbreak as a ‘public health emergency of international concern’ underscores the need for sustained U.S. engagement, which has been eroded by recent policy shifts.

Public Health Experts Warn of Global Risks

Public health experts have warned that the U.S. is increasingly unprepared to handle infectious disease threats. Gigi Gronvall, an immunologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, criticized Rubio’s focus on blaming the WHO, stating that the organization operates with ‘limited resources in a difficult setting’ but that the U.S. itself has ‘dismantled its public health infrastructure’. She noted that the erosion of U.S. health systems could worsen global risks, as even a small number of Ebola cases in the U.S. would be ‘tough’ with the current workforce. Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiology professor at Brown University, highlighted the CDC’s delayed response to the DRC outbreak, noting that the agency only learned of the outbreak when it was publicly confirmed. This contrasts with past U.S. practices, where the CDC often acted on early intelligence. Nuzzo argued that the current approach risks ‘putting the U.S. on the sidelines’ of global health crises, a departure from historical norms where the U.S. played a central role in outbreak containment.

Trump’s Foreign Aid Cuts and Their Impact

“'limited resources in a difficult setting' but that the U.S. itself has 'dismantled its public health infrastructure'”

The Trump administration’s decision to cut U.S. funding to the WHO and reduce foreign aid has led to significant consequences. A 2025 NPR report noted that the State Department’s overhaul included a 15% reduction in Washington-based staff, part of a broader effort to streamline operations. These cuts have affected global health programs, including outbreak response systems, and have been criticized for undermining international cooperation. The WHO’s loss of nearly 2,000 jobs—about a quarter of its workforce—since the U.S. withdrawal has further strained its capacity to respond to crises. The organization has warned that travel bans and border closures during outbreaks can force people and goods through unmonitored crossings, increasing disease spread. However, the U.S. has continued to impose such restrictions, raising questions about the effectiveness of its public health policies.

Declining U.S. Investment in Global Health Governance

The current situation reflects a broader trend of declining U.S. investment in global health governance. A 2021 analysis in Critical Perspectives on International Business noted that developing nations continue to face ‘spending cuts in science and public health,’ which have weakened their ability to respond to outbreaks. The erosion of U.S. support for multilateral institutions like the WHO has left a gap, with countries increasingly relying on fragmented bilateral efforts. This shift has also raised concerns about politicizing public health. The Trump administration’s emphasis on ‘national sovereignty’ over global cooperation has been criticized for prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term health security. As the WHO’s recent warnings highlight, the interconnected nature of global health means that neglecting international collaboration risks exacerbating crises on a global scale.