Former President Donald Trump has named Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), as his pick to lead the Department of Education. The announcement, made Tuesday, highlights Trump’s ongoing campaign promise to eliminate the federal agency and transfer education oversight to the states.
Trump described McMahon as a “fierce advocate for Parents’ Rights” in a statement accompanying the announcement. “We will send education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort,” he declared, emphasizing his vision of decentralizing education governance.
McMahon’s experience in the field of education includes a two-year term on the Connecticut Board of Education and a 16-year tenure on the board of trustees at Sacred Heart University, a private Catholic institution in Connecticut.
While her educational credentials may not align with those of traditional appointees to the role, Trump has often prioritized loyalty and alternative qualifications in his appointments.
McMahon first entered the public political sphere in 2009 when she stepped down as WWE’s CEO to pursue a Senate seat in Connecticut. Although unsuccessful in her bids, she gained recognition as a major political donor, eventually aligning herself with Trump.
Her professional resume also includes a stint as head of the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Trump administration from 2017 to 2019. During her tenure, she championed initiatives to bolster America’s small businesses, which collectively employ approximately half of the nation’s private-sector workforce.
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Since leaving the SBA, McMahon has maintained a high profile in pro-Trump political circles. She currently serves as chair of the Center for the American Worker at the Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute and previously led the pro-Trump America First Action Super PAC.
McMahon’s ties to Trump stretch back to her time at WWE, where she and her husband, Vince McMahon, built the company into a global entertainment powerhouse. Trump was an occasional participant in WWE storylines, most notably in a staged rivalry with Vince McMahon that culminated in Trump “body-slamming” Vince and shaving his head in the ring on live television.
These shared experiences laid the foundation for a personal and professional relationship that McMahon herself described as both collegial and friendly. Speaking at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee earlier this year, she remarked, “I am privileged to call Donald Trump a colleague, a boss, and a friend.”
Throughout his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump has reiterated his pledge to dismantle the Department of Education, which he considers an unnecessary federal overreach. At a rally in Wisconsin, he stated, “I say it all the time. I’m dying to get back to do this. We will ultimately eliminate the federal Department of Education.”
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By nominating McMahon, Trump is signaling his commitment to a bold restructuring of the American education system. He aims to shift control back to state governments, empowering local authorities to set educational policies and standards.
If confirmed, McMahon will oversee an agency she has been tasked with dismantling—a paradoxical challenge that could face significant resistance from policymakers, educators, and advocacy groups. Critics have questioned her qualifications for the role, pointing to her limited direct experience in public education.
Supporters, however, argue that her background in business and leadership, combined with her advocacy for parental rights and decentralized governance, make her uniquely suited to execute Trump’s vision.
Linda McMahon’s nomination reflects Trump’s unconventional approach to governance, prioritizing loyalty and alignment with his policy goals. Whether McMahon can successfully navigate the complexities of education reform—or the potential abolition of a federal agency—remains to be seen.
Her appointment would undoubtedly spark debates about the future of education in America, raising questions about the balance between federal oversight and state control. As Trump prepares for a potential return to the White House, McMahon’s role in shaping the administration’s educational agenda will be a critical point of focus.