President-elect Donald Trump has officially announced Linda McMahon as his choice for the secretary of the Department of Education. This decision, revealed on Tuesday night, followed McMahon’s possibility of being overlooked for the Commerce secretary position, which went to Howard Lutnick, another co-chair of Trump’s transition team.
In a statement, Trump praised McMahon, highlighting her extensive leadership experience and her understanding of both education and business. He emphasized her role in empowering future generations of American students and workers, while reiterating plans to decentralize education, returning authority back to the states.
McMahon previously led the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 before taking on a role as chair of America First Action, a pro-Trump super PAC. She also serves as the board chair of the America First Policy Institute, created in 2021 to develop policy proposals for Trump’s anticipated second term.
Notably, McMahon is the former CEO of WWE, which she helped transform from a small wrestling organization into a publicly traded media giant before stepping down in 2009. Despite previous unsuccessful bids for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut, where she invested over $98 million of her own money, McMahon has remained a significant donor to Republican causes and candidates, notably contributing to Trump’s 2016 campaign.
As McMahon prepares for this new role, her leadership experience in both business and government positions her to potentially navigate complex educational reforms, promising a shift that many supporters are optimistic about.
Overall, this appointment signifies a commitment to education reform and may inspire renewed discussions about the future direction of American education. The focus on localizing educational authority hints at a collaborative approach between states and federal oversight, which could foster innovation and tailor solutions to the unique needs of diverse student populations.