President-elect Donald Trump has picked Linda McMahon, the former head of the Small Business Administration and a former wrestling executive, to be his new Secretary of Education.
The Education Department helps fund public schools, manages federal student aid, and tracks education data. Trump has said he wants to shut down the department and move most of its responsibilities to state governments. “We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will lead that effort,” Trump announced.
McMahon was the administrator of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2019. She also ran for U.S. Senate in Connecticut in 2010 but lost to current Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal.
McMahon has been a strong supporter of Trump. She was the chair of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative group created by Trump’s team to support his agenda. She also helped lead Trump’s transition team after his win in 2020. Before getting into politics, McMahon helped her husband, Vince McMahon, create Capitol Wrestling, which later became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Both McMahons are named in a lawsuit from last month, accusing WWE leaders of allowing abuse of young children.
McMahon has also shown her support for Trump at events like the Republican National Convention, calling him “the best friend American workers have had in the White House.”
At first, McMahon was thought to be a top candidate for the Department of Commerce, but now she will take on the education role. The Senate will need to confirm her appointment before she officially takes the job.
