President-elect Donald Trump has announced Linda McMahon as his pick for Secretary of Education, a position she will take up after being initially considered for the Commerce Department. McMahon, the former head of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), is expected to play a key role in implementing Trump’s plan to reduce the size of the Education Department.
Education Department’s Role and Trump’s Vision
The Department of Education is responsible for distributing federal funds to public schools, managing student aid programs, and collecting educational data. However, Trump has committed to dismantling much of its federal oversight and transferring its responsibilities to the states.
“We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort,” Trump stated in his announcement.
Who is Linda McMahon?
Linda McMahon served as the Administrator of the SBA from 2017 to 2019 during Trump’s first term. Before entering politics, McMahon co-founded Capitol Wrestling, later known as WWE, with her husband, Vince McMahon.
Recently, both McMahons have been named in a lawsuit accusing WWE of enabling “systemic and pervasive abuse” of underage children within the organization.
Political Career and Influence
In 2010, McMahon ran for U.S. Senate in Connecticut as the Republican candidate but lost to Democrat Richard Blumenthal. Despite the loss, McMahon has remained influential in conservative circles. She served as chair of the board for the America First Policy Institute, a think tank formed by Trump’s advisors in 2021 to advance his priorities. Additionally, McMahon played a prominent role in Trump’s transition team, working alongside billionaire Howard Lutnick, who is set to head the Department of Commerce.
Support for Trump’s Economic Agenda
During the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, McMahon praised Trump‘s economic accomplishments, stating, “President Trump is a job creator and the best friend American workers have had in the White House.”