elected president Donald Trump on Tuesday tapped former World Wrestling Entertainment executive Linda McMahon, who served in the first Trump administration, to lead the Department of Education.
If he is confirmed by the Senate, McMahon would oversee a department that Trump said would was planning to “get rid of”. as it currently exists and allows each state to “do the education” individually.
“As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand Choice in every state in America and empower parents to make the best education decisions for their families,” Trump said. said in the statement she described McMahon as “a fierce advocate for Parents’ Rights.”
McMahon is co-chairman of Trump’s presidential transition team. Before that, he was the head of the Small Business Administration during his first presidency steped down To lead the pro-Trump America First Action super PAC from a Cabinet-level position in 2019.
Before joining the first Trump administration, McMahon served on the Connecticut State Board of Education in 2009, before resigning to make unsuccessful bids for U.S. Senate seats in the state in 2010 and 2012.
CNN reported first In McMahon, Trump’s pick for education secretary.
McMahon was heNone of Trump’s top donors During the 2024 campaign — Make America Great Again Inc. more than $20 million in contributions to super PACs, as well as $937,800 to his campaign and related joint fundraising committees.
McMahon, 76, is married to the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment Vince McMahon.
The Department of Education has a budget of $241.6 billion and approximately 13,000 employees. data From the Office of Personnel Management.
Trump said he plans to sign an executive order that would remove federal funding from “any school that burdens our children with critical race theory, transgender bigotry, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content.”
McMahon criticized diversity, equity and inclusion programs The op-ed was published by Fox News this year that DEI provisions are “irrelevant to the training of skilled workers” and that such policies “add costs and administrative burdens to all apprenticeship programs.”
On Tuesday, McMahon was joined by Trump and a new co-chairman, Elon Musk.Department of Government Efficiency,” at the address SpaceX Starship launch In Texas.
McMahon is chairman of the board at the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank beshallow With other former Trump administration officials in 2021. Trump said he plans to nominate other people affiliated with the organization, including a former lawmaker. Doug Collins Georgia’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs and former Rep. Lee Zeldin from New York to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.
McMahon is also the latest Cabinet pick from Trump’s transition team. On Tuesday, he appointed Cantor Fitzgerald as CEO Howard LutnickHis pick as commerce secretary, who co-chaired his transition with McMahon.