Linda McMahon Named Education Secretary in Trump’s Upcoming Administration
In what’s shaping up to be a big move for education policy, Linda McMahon has been picked as the new Secretary of Education by president-elect Donald Trump. McMahon isn’t a stranger to the political scene; she served in Trump’s cabinet during his first term and has been a key player in his transition team. It’s interesting to see how her background in the world of professional wrestling is likely to shape her role in education.
Transition Team Co-Chair
McMahon, known as the co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), has been co-chairing Trump’s transition team since August. In a statement, Trump praised her efforts and said, “As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand ‘Choice’ to every State in America and empower parents to make the best education decisions for their families.” He also mentioned a significant push to send education back to the states, with McMahon leading this effort.
Fundraising and Political History
It’s worth noting that McMahon is not just a big name in wrestling; she has also financially supported Trump quite generously. By July, she had donated a whopping $814,600 to his 2024 campaign and previously put in around $6 million to help him secure the Republican nomination in 2016. When her tenure as chair of America First Action, a super PAC backing Trump’s re-election, comes into view, she stands out even more; the group managed to raise around $83 million in 2020 alone.
Past Roles and Controversies
During her previous stint in Trump’s cabinet, she served as the administrator of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019. Beyond politics, she has faced controversy too. In October, she was named in a lawsuit alleging that she and WWE leadership allowed for sexual abuse to occur at the organization, with claims that she was aware of it but failed to act. McMahon’s representatives have called these allegations “false claims” that are “absurd and entirely meritless.”
Education: A Lifelong Interest
As for her education credentials, McMahon is seen as somewhat of an unknown. While she does have past experience serving on the Connecticut Board of Education, she has openly expressed her support for charter schools and the concept of school choice. Back in 2009, she shared her lifelong passion for education, even mentioning that she once aspired to be a teacher. However, that dream faded after her marriage, and she eventually went on to serve on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut for several years.
What’s Next for Education Policy?
As Trump’s administration gears up, he’s made some bold promises about dismantling the Department of Education. While he hasn’t laid out exactly how he will manage to do this—considering it requires Congressional action to close an agency that’s been around since 1979—it’s clear that McMahon will play a pivotal role if anything comes to fruition.
Commerce Secretary Pick
Meanwhile, there’s more news on the horizon for Trump’s administration. His transition team co-chair, Howard Lutnick, who has deep roots in the financial sector, has been nominated as Trump’s pick for Commerce Secretary. With both Lutnick and McMahon in key positions, it looks like Trump’s cabinet is gearing up for a significant shift in various policies.
As the new parent of this administration, it’s crucial to keep an eye on how these decisions will unfold. Parents, educators, and taxpayers alike will be watching closely as McMahon dives into her new role and marks a potential new direction for education across the nation.
