Trump names former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as his pick for education secretary
NBCNov 17
Trump Nominates Linda McMahon for Education Secretary
Above: Linda McMahon speaks during the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18, 2024. Image copyright: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
US Pres.-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated Linda McMahon, who co-founded World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) with her husband Vince McMahon, to head up his Department of Education.
McMahon, 76, led the Small Business Administration during Trump's first term and then became the chair of the pro-school-choice America First Policy Institute. She previously served on the Connecticut State Board of Education for about a year.
The Spin
Republican narrative
McMahon is a great choice because she'll finally take on the corrupt teachers' unions and disrupt the Democratic establishment's loyalty to groups whose interests prioritize bureaucracy over children. Democrats have allowed schools to fail as an excuse to ask for more money, but McMahon will dismantle inefficiencies in the Department and advance brighter futures.
Democratic narrative
McMahon is an atrocious choice to be in charge of DOE, especially since she's currently being sued for turning a blind eye to sexual abuse at WWE. Despite that, Trump is willing to destroy the DOE — and the special education funding that comes with it — because the McMahons donated to his campaign and are influenced by conservative think tanks.
