President-elect Donald Trump has named Linda McMahon, former WWE executive and a key figure in his first administration, as his pick to lead the Education Department. If confirmed by the Senate, McMahon, 76, would oversee an agency that Trump previously suggested he plans to dismantle in its current form, allowing each state to handle education individually. Trump described McMahon as a “fierce advocate for Parents’ Rights” and emphasized her commitment to expanding school choice across the U.S.
McMahon, a former Small Business Administration head during Trump’s first presidency, is also a major donor to Trump’s 2024 campaign, contributing over $20 million to the Make America Great Again PAC. She has served on the Connecticut State Board of Education and ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2010 and 2012. She is married to Vince McMahon, the former WWE CEO.
During her tenure in the Trump administration, McMahon supported conservative views, including criticism of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which she argued increased costs without benefiting skilled worker training. Trump’s education agenda aligns with her views, aiming to cut federal funding for schools that promote critical race theory and transgender issues. McMahon is also the chair of the America First Policy Institute, a think tank she co-founded in 2021.
Trump’s selection of McMahon for this role follows other key appointments, such as Howard Lutnick for commerce secretary. McMahon’s confirmation would place her in charge of the Education Department, which has a budget of $241.6 billion and oversees 13,000 employees. Under the Biden administration, the department has focused on student debt relief and expanded LGBTQ protections in schools, both areas McMahon is likely to challenge if confirmed.
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