President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and a former administrator of the Small Business Administration, for the position of Secretary of the Department of Education.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, follows McMahon’s role as co-chair of Trump’s transition team.
Trump praised McMahon’s performance, stating, “Linda is doing an incredible job as transition team co-chair,” and expressed confidence in her ability to champion education reform.
He added that McMahon would “fight tirelessly to expand ‘Choice’ to every State in America and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families.”
Trump further emphasized his vision to “send Education BACK TO THE STATES,” a key point in his ongoing criticism of the federal education system.
McMahon’s appointment signals a potential move to restructure or even abolish the Department of Education, aligning with Trump’s previous comments about its inefficiency.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump criticized the department, accusing it of fostering policies that he believes are harmful to children.
He also proposed eliminating federal funding for schools promoting critical race theory, gender ideology, or what he termed “inappropriate” content.
Trump’s remarks included a pledge to “find and remove the radicals who have infiltrated the federal Department of Education” and to “keep men out of women’s sports.”
McMahon, who co-founded WWE with her husband Vince McMahon, has a long history of involvement in business and politics.
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She stepped down as WWE’s CEO in 2009 to run for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut, though she was unsuccessful.
She later became the chair and CEO of the financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald and served for two years on Connecticut’s Board of Education.
Additionally, McMahon has held leadership positions in various pro-Trump organizations. She served as the chair of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) and has been an advocate for parents’ rights in education.
Trump’s statement highlighted her efforts in these roles, noting, “For the past four years, as the Chair of the Board at the America First Policy Institute, Linda has been a fierce advocate for Parents’ Rights.”
McMahon’s nomination comes amid a broader pattern of Trump nominating loyal supporters for key roles in his administration, such as his recent selection of Mehmet Oz, a celebrity doctor, to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Given her strong ties within the Republican Party, McMahon’s confirmation by the Republican-majority Senate is considered likely.
However, McMahon’s appointment is not without controversy. Recently, she and other WWE leaders were named in a lawsuit alleging that they enabled the abuse of young boys by a deceased WWE announcer.
The McMahons have denied the accusations, with their lawyer describing the claims as “false” and “defamatory.”
Despite her limited experience in education, McMahon’s nomination reflects Trump’s broader push for sweeping changes to the U.S. education system, potentially marking a significant shift in policy if confirmed.
