Trump appoints Linda McMahon as Education Secretary
While she may have limited educational experience, she plays a significant role within the sphere of the president-elect.
TroibNews 
President-elect Donald Trump is set to nominate his transition co-chair Linda McMahon for the position of Education Secretary, as confirmed by two individuals familiar with the discussions surrounding the transition.
At 76, McMahon rose to prominence by transforming World Wrestling Entertainment into a multibillion-dollar company before steering the Small Business Administration during Trump's first term. Even after Trump left the White House in 2021, she continued to play a significant role within his circle.
McMahon was appointed to the Connecticut state Board of Education but stepped down about a year later in 2010 following a unsuccessful Senate campaign. A graduate of East Carolina University, she holds a bachelor’s degree in French and is certified to teach the language. Although she lacks extensive experience in education, McMahon chairs the board of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank filled with Trump associates, making her likely to secure Senate confirmation smoothly.
“For the past four years, as the Chair of the Board at the America First Policy Institute, Linda has been a fierce advocate for Parents' Rights,” Trump stated. “As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand 'Choice' to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families.”
CNN was the first to report on McMahon’s nomination.
McMahon has spoken out against college degree requirements for jobs, arguing that “reversing degree inflation is good for workers and good for businesses.” She contends that higher education fails to meet the demands of employers seeking skilled workers and advocates for greater access to career and technical education.
Moreover, she supports expanding the Pell Grant for low-income students to apply to short-term workforce training programs and is interested in ensuring better alignment between higher education and workforce needs.
“Our educational system must offer clear and viable pathways to the American Dream aside from four-year degrees,” McMahon wrote in September. “Pretending college is the path for everyone is incredibly outdated.”
However, she has not held many prominent roles in the education sector.
“What really whetted my political appetite was actually starting with the State Board of Education,” McMahon shared at an America First Works event in October. “I've always been such a proponent of education.”
Former Republican Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell appointed McMahon to the 11-member Board of Education, responsible for overseeing 149 local and 17 regional school districts.
At an America First Works event in October, McMahon reflected on her time on the board, describing it as her “first foray into politics.” She mentioned that her interest in the state’s education system was sparked by reading about issues within her local school district in Greenwich.
Rell later invited McMahon to fill an open position on the state education board.
“Linda clearly understands the skills and education needed to succeed in business and the type of highly educated and skilled workforce that must be available to ensure that success,” Rell noted when announcing McMahon’s nomination in 2009.
The state Senate and House approved her appointment by a wide margin. McMahon was also confirmed with ease on Capitol Hill as the SBA administrator in 2017, receiving an 81-19 vote in the Senate.
Regarding K-12 policy, McMahon has shown support for school choice—a significant priority for Republicans on both Capitol Hill and state legislatures. She has emphasized the importance of parental involvement in education on social media, arguing that school choice “will level the playing field by breaking down barriers of Economic Disadvantage and offering parents CONTROL over their children’s education.”
Additionally, she has criticized the Biden administration’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in apprenticeship programs.
“We ought to make sure that we do have diversity,” she commented in March, "but to make mandates on apprenticeship programs, it just destroys the opportunity that many businesses would have to train new people.”
Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill quickly praised the president’s choice for Education Secretary, including Reps. Burgess Owens and Tim Walberg, both contending to lead the House education oversight committee.
“Together, we will overhaul the Department of Education to better serve students and uphold the rights of parents,” Walberg stated. “Our educational institutions must be better connected with real-world jobs and in-demand fields. This is something Linda understands.”
Alice Miranda Ollstein, Lawrence Ukenye, and Ari Hawkins contributed to this report.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
At 76, McMahon rose to prominence by transforming World Wrestling Entertainment into a multibillion-dollar company before steering the Small Business Administration during Trump's first term. Even after Trump left the White House in 2021, she continued to play a significant role within his circle.
McMahon was appointed to the Connecticut state Board of Education but stepped down about a year later in 2010 following a unsuccessful Senate campaign. A graduate of East Carolina University, she holds a bachelor’s degree in French and is certified to teach the language. Although she lacks extensive experience in education, McMahon chairs the board of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank filled with Trump associates, making her likely to secure Senate confirmation smoothly.
“For the past four years, as the Chair of the Board at the America First Policy Institute, Linda has been a fierce advocate for Parents' Rights,” Trump stated. “As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand 'Choice' to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families.”
CNN was the first to report on McMahon’s nomination.
McMahon has spoken out against college degree requirements for jobs, arguing that “reversing degree inflation is good for workers and good for businesses.” She contends that higher education fails to meet the demands of employers seeking skilled workers and advocates for greater access to career and technical education.
Moreover, she supports expanding the Pell Grant for low-income students to apply to short-term workforce training programs and is interested in ensuring better alignment between higher education and workforce needs.
“Our educational system must offer clear and viable pathways to the American Dream aside from four-year degrees,” McMahon wrote in September. “Pretending college is the path for everyone is incredibly outdated.”
However, she has not held many prominent roles in the education sector.
“What really whetted my political appetite was actually starting with the State Board of Education,” McMahon shared at an America First Works event in October. “I've always been such a proponent of education.”
Former Republican Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell appointed McMahon to the 11-member Board of Education, responsible for overseeing 149 local and 17 regional school districts.
At an America First Works event in October, McMahon reflected on her time on the board, describing it as her “first foray into politics.” She mentioned that her interest in the state’s education system was sparked by reading about issues within her local school district in Greenwich.
Rell later invited McMahon to fill an open position on the state education board.
“Linda clearly understands the skills and education needed to succeed in business and the type of highly educated and skilled workforce that must be available to ensure that success,” Rell noted when announcing McMahon’s nomination in 2009.
The state Senate and House approved her appointment by a wide margin. McMahon was also confirmed with ease on Capitol Hill as the SBA administrator in 2017, receiving an 81-19 vote in the Senate.
Regarding K-12 policy, McMahon has shown support for school choice—a significant priority for Republicans on both Capitol Hill and state legislatures. She has emphasized the importance of parental involvement in education on social media, arguing that school choice “will level the playing field by breaking down barriers of Economic Disadvantage and offering parents CONTROL over their children’s education.”
Additionally, she has criticized the Biden administration’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in apprenticeship programs.
“We ought to make sure that we do have diversity,” she commented in March, "but to make mandates on apprenticeship programs, it just destroys the opportunity that many businesses would have to train new people.”
Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill quickly praised the president’s choice for Education Secretary, including Reps. Burgess Owens and Tim Walberg, both contending to lead the House education oversight committee.
“Together, we will overhaul the Department of Education to better serve students and uphold the rights of parents,” Walberg stated. “Our educational institutions must be better connected with real-world jobs and in-demand fields. This is something Linda understands.”
Alice Miranda Ollstein, Lawrence Ukenye, and Ari Hawkins contributed to this report.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
