In a major move, President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Linda McMahon to lead the U.S. Department of Education. McMahon, who previously served as the head of the Small Business Administration under Trump’s first term, has long been a staunch supporter of the former president’s policies. Her appointment is part of Trump’s broader initiative to shift federal responsibilities for education to state governments.
Trump described McMahon as a "fierce advocate for Parents' Rights" and pledged, "We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort." This echoes his longstanding plan to decentralise control over education, moving away from federal oversight.
Also Read: Donald Trump taps former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as education secretary
McMahon’s Background: From Wrestling to Politics
Linda McMahon's path to the U.S. government was anything but conventional. She and her husband, Vince McMahon, co-founded what is now World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), building it into a multi-billion-dollar media empire. McMahon's business expertise, especially in growing WWE into a publicly traded company, has been widely recognised.
Her connection to Donald Trump dates back to the 2007 WrestleMania event, where she participated in a staged feud with Trump, involving Trump shaving Vince McMahon’s head in the ring. This public interaction marked the beginning of their collaboration in the entertainment and business sectors.
McMahon eventually left WWE in 2009 to pursue a career in politics. She ran for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut in 2010 and 2012 but was unsuccessful in both attempts, losing to Democratic candidates Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. Despite her losses, McMahon continued to support conservative candidates and initiatives, notably contributing millions of dollars to Trump’s presidential campaigns.
Also Read: Donald Trump nominates TV doctor Dr. Mehmet Oz to oversee Medicare and Medicaid services
A Career in Public Service
Although McMahon’s formal education experience is limited, she has been involved in education-related initiatives throughout her career. In 2009, she served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year, stating that she had once planned to become a teacher—a goal she abandoned after her marriage. Her commitment to education continued as she served on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.
McMahon has long supported charter schools and school choice, advocating for greater parental control over educational decisions. Though she is not considered a major figure in education policy circles, her business acumen and involvement in public service have earned her recognition.
Trump’s statement regarding McMahon’s nomination highlighted her qualifications: "Linda will use her decades of leadership experience, and deep understanding of both education and business, to empower the next generation of American students and workers, and make America Number One in Education in the World."
Also Read: Donald Trump chooses billionaire and key transition adviser Howard Lutnick for commerce secretary
McMahon’s Role in Trump’s Administration
McMahon’s history with Trump dates back to his first term, when she was appointed to lead the SBA from 2017 to 2019. During her tenure, she worked to support small businesses with loans and disaster relief programs, as well as enforcing government contract laws. Her tenure was marked by a lack of controversy, with even her political opponents acknowledging her achievements.
Upon leaving the SBA, McMahon continued her support for Trump. She chaired the America First Action super PAC, which backed Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign, and helped found the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a think tank designed to promote Trump’s conservative agenda. AFPI has raised millions of dollars and is seen as a potential platform for policy proposals should Trump return to the White House.
Shifting Focus to Education
McMahon’s transition to the Department of Education marks a significant shift in focus, from small business administration to education policy. Her background in business and public service aligns with Trump’s vision of a smaller federal government, with education policy largely shifted to state and local authorities. This reflects Trump’s commitment to curbing federal control over public education and returning power to parents and states.
In addition to her time in the SBA, McMahon has maintained a strong relationship with Trump. She was named co-chair of Trump’s transition team, working alongside Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald. Together, they have played an instrumental role in shaping Trump’s new administration.
Trump's statement on her nomination underscored McMahon's leadership experience: “Linda has been a superstar. The fact is, I’ve known her for a long time. I knew she was good, but I didn’t know she was that good.”
The Road Ahead
McMahon’s nomination must now be confirmed by the Senate. If approved, she will oversee a department that provides funding to public schools, administers federal student aid programs, and collects data on U.S. education. However, Trump has vowed to dissolve the Department of Education and redistribute most of its functions to state-level authorities.
McMahon’s lack of formal experience in education policy has raised some concerns, with critics questioning whether her business background is sufficient to manage the department. However, her long-standing support for Trump and her ability to lead large organisations may prove to be assets in implementing his education reforms.
As Education Secretary, McMahon will face the challenge of aligning the federal education system with Trump’s vision of localised control, school choice, and parental involvement. Her tenure will likely be pivotal in determining the future of U.S. education policy under a potential second Trump administration.
Trump described McMahon as a "fierce advocate for Parents' Rights" and pledged, "We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort." This echoes his longstanding plan to decentralise control over education, moving away from federal oversight.
Also Read: Donald Trump taps former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as education secretary
McMahon’s Background: From Wrestling to Politics
Linda McMahon's path to the U.S. government was anything but conventional. She and her husband, Vince McMahon, co-founded what is now World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), building it into a multi-billion-dollar media empire. McMahon's business expertise, especially in growing WWE into a publicly traded company, has been widely recognised.
Her connection to Donald Trump dates back to the 2007 WrestleMania event, where she participated in a staged feud with Trump, involving Trump shaving Vince McMahon’s head in the ring. This public interaction marked the beginning of their collaboration in the entertainment and business sectors.
McMahon eventually left WWE in 2009 to pursue a career in politics. She ran for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut in 2010 and 2012 but was unsuccessful in both attempts, losing to Democratic candidates Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. Despite her losses, McMahon continued to support conservative candidates and initiatives, notably contributing millions of dollars to Trump’s presidential campaigns.
Also Read: Donald Trump nominates TV doctor Dr. Mehmet Oz to oversee Medicare and Medicaid services
A Career in Public Service
Although McMahon’s formal education experience is limited, she has been involved in education-related initiatives throughout her career. In 2009, she served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year, stating that she had once planned to become a teacher—a goal she abandoned after her marriage. Her commitment to education continued as she served on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.
McMahon has long supported charter schools and school choice, advocating for greater parental control over educational decisions. Though she is not considered a major figure in education policy circles, her business acumen and involvement in public service have earned her recognition.
Trump’s statement regarding McMahon’s nomination highlighted her qualifications: "Linda will use her decades of leadership experience, and deep understanding of both education and business, to empower the next generation of American students and workers, and make America Number One in Education in the World."
Also Read: Donald Trump chooses billionaire and key transition adviser Howard Lutnick for commerce secretary
McMahon’s Role in Trump’s Administration
McMahon’s history with Trump dates back to his first term, when she was appointed to lead the SBA from 2017 to 2019. During her tenure, she worked to support small businesses with loans and disaster relief programs, as well as enforcing government contract laws. Her tenure was marked by a lack of controversy, with even her political opponents acknowledging her achievements.
Upon leaving the SBA, McMahon continued her support for Trump. She chaired the America First Action super PAC, which backed Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign, and helped found the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a think tank designed to promote Trump’s conservative agenda. AFPI has raised millions of dollars and is seen as a potential platform for policy proposals should Trump return to the White House.
Shifting Focus to Education
McMahon’s transition to the Department of Education marks a significant shift in focus, from small business administration to education policy. Her background in business and public service aligns with Trump’s vision of a smaller federal government, with education policy largely shifted to state and local authorities. This reflects Trump’s commitment to curbing federal control over public education and returning power to parents and states.
In addition to her time in the SBA, McMahon has maintained a strong relationship with Trump. She was named co-chair of Trump’s transition team, working alongside Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald. Together, they have played an instrumental role in shaping Trump’s new administration.
Trump's statement on her nomination underscored McMahon's leadership experience: “Linda has been a superstar. The fact is, I’ve known her for a long time. I knew she was good, but I didn’t know she was that good.”
The Road Ahead
McMahon’s nomination must now be confirmed by the Senate. If approved, she will oversee a department that provides funding to public schools, administers federal student aid programs, and collects data on U.S. education. However, Trump has vowed to dissolve the Department of Education and redistribute most of its functions to state-level authorities.
McMahon’s lack of formal experience in education policy has raised some concerns, with critics questioning whether her business background is sufficient to manage the department. However, her long-standing support for Trump and her ability to lead large organisations may prove to be assets in implementing his education reforms.
As Education Secretary, McMahon will face the challenge of aligning the federal education system with Trump’s vision of localised control, school choice, and parental involvement. Her tenure will likely be pivotal in determining the future of U.S. education policy under a potential second Trump administration.
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