President-elect Donald Trump’s new secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, has a background in the wrestling entertainment industry, having been heavily involved in WWE for decades alongside her husband, Vince McMahon. Linda even served as CEO of WWE and was known for participating in staged wrestling matches where she received violent moves. Clips of McMahon’s wrestling moments have resurfaced on social media following her appointment to Trump’s Cabinet, including instances where she was hit by wrestlers like Glenn Thomas Jacobs, also known as “Kane.” McMahon also appeared in controversial skits within WWE, including ones where she was shown hitting her children, Stephanie and Shane McMahon.
Despite her background in wrestling, McMahon has had some involvement in education, serving on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year in 2009. In the past, she mentioned having a lifelong interest in education and had plans to become a teacher at one point. McMahon also made unsuccessful runs for the Senate as a Connecticut Republican in 2010 and 2012, losing to Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, respectively. She later contributed $6 million to Trump’s presidential campaign after he secured the Republican nomination in 2016. McMahon briefly served as administrator of the Small Business Administration under Trump’s first term and subsequently chaired America First Action, a super PAC supporting Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign.
Following her stint with America First Action, McMahon helped launch the America First Policy Institute to continue promoting Trump’s agenda and prepare for a potential return to the White House. She also co-chaired Trump’s presidential transition team alongside Howard Lutnick and played a role in planning Trump’s new administration. Trump praised McMahon’s appointment as Secretary of Education, stating that she would work to expand educational choice and empower parents to make the best decisions for their families. McMahon’s background in business and politics, as well as her ties to Trump’s campaign and administration, have positioned her as a key player in shaping education policy under the new administration.
McMahon’s appointment to Trump’s Cabinet as Secretary of Education has sparked interest and controversy due to her unconventional background in wrestling and politics. Critics question her qualifications for the role, citing her lack of experience in education policy and concerns over her association with WWE, a company known for its controversial content and treatment of women. However, supporters point to McMahon’s business acumen and political connections as assets that could bring fresh perspectives to education reform. Despite her past failures in political endeavors, McMahon’s continued involvement in Trump’s campaigns and administration signals a close relationship with the former president and a commitment to advancing his agenda.
As Secretary of Education, McMahon has pledged to prioritize expanding educational choice and empowering parents to make decisions about their children’s schooling. This focus on school choice aligns with President Trump’s emphasis on giving families more options for their children’s education, including alternatives to traditional public schools. McMahon’s background in business and politics suggests that she may bring a unique perspective to education policy, potentially shaking up the status quo and introducing new ideas to the department. How McMahon’s tenure as Secretary of Education will unfold remains to be seen, but her appointment signals a shift towards a more unconventional approach to education reform under the new administration.
