President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Linda McMahon, his transition co-chair, as his pick for the next Secretary of the Department of Education. Trump confirmed the decision on Tuesday night, following CNN’s initial report. The announcement came after it became evident that McMahon would not be selected for the position of Commerce Secretary, a role filled by Trump’s other transition co-chair, Howard Lutnick, earlier that day.
A Strong Leadership Background
“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, making America number one in education in the world. We will send education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort,” Trump said in a statement.
McMahon, a major Republican donor and former professional wrestling executive, served as the administrator of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, from 2017 to 2019. After resigning in 2019, she became the chair of America First Action, a pro-Trump super PAC.
Affiliation with America First Policy Institute
McMahon is also the board chair of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a pro-Trump think tank founded in 2021 by McMahon, Larry Kudlow, and other advisers from the first Trump administration. The think tank has raised millions of dollars and has been described as a “White House-in-waiting,” planning potential policy proposals for Trump’s second term.
Challenges in Overseeing Education Department
McMahon’s appointment as Secretary of Education could come at a time when Trump has repeatedly called for the abolition of the department. While dismantling the entire Department of Education would be a difficult task, as it oversees federal funding for nearly all public K-12 schools and manages a $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio, some Republicans aim to reduce the federal government’s role in local education. This could be achieved by retaining funding programs but allowing money to be delivered to states and schools with fewer federal mandates.
Potential Changes to Title IX
Under McMahon, the Department of Education may use its regulatory power to reverse the Biden administration’s changes to Title IX, which expanded protections for LGBTQ+ students. A new rule could clarify that Title IX prohibits transgender students from participating in girls’ sports teams, a stance that Trump campaigned on during his previous term.
McMahon’s Background in WWE and Political Campaigns
Before entering politics, McMahon co-founded World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) with her husband, Vince McMahon, and served as its CEO. She led the company’s transformation from a small wrestling organization into a publicly traded media empire, stepping down as CEO in 2009.
McMahon ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in Connecticut in 2010 and 2012, losing both campaigns. She self-funded her campaigns, spending $50.1 million in 2010 and $48.7 million in 2012, according to Open Secrets, a nonprofit tracking campaign financing. Trump donated $5,000 to her 2012 campaign.
A Major Republican Donor
McMahon is also a prominent Republican donor. During Trump’s first presidential campaign, she contributed over $7 million to two pro-Trump super PACs, according to Open Secrets.
