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Trump Nominates WWE Co-Founder, Linda McMahon As Education Secretary

Published

4 hours ago

Nov 20, 2024.

Dennis

Donald Trump has announced Linda McMahon, co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and a long-time ally, as his nominee for education secretary. McMahon, who served as the Small Business Administration chief during Trump’s first presidency, has been a prominent supporter of Trump, contributing millions of dollars to his campaigns.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump praised McMahon’s leadership experience and her business acumen, saying she would help “empower the next generation of American students and workers” and aim to make the U.S. “number one in education globally.” McMahon’s appointment aligns with Trump’s pattern of selecting loyal allies for key cabinet roles, a strategy further highlighted by his recent nominations of Mehmet Oz for Medicaid and Howard Lutnick for commerce secretary.

EDITOR’S PICKS

McMahon’s background includes co-founding WWE with her husband in 1980, though she left the company in 2009 to pursue a Senate run, which she lost. While her experience in education is limited—she briefly served on Connecticut’s Board of Education in 2009–2010—she chairs the America First Policy Institute, a pro-Trump think tank, which likely ensures her confirmation in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Trump emphasized McMahon’s commitment to parental rights and school choice, stating she would fight to expand educational options and return control of education to the states. This aligns with Trump’s broader promise to dismantle the Department of Education, a task McMahon could lead if confirmed.

However, McMahon’s nomination is not without controversy. She was recently named in a lawsuit alleging that WWE leadership, including herself and her husband, failed to prevent the abuse of minors by a former ringside announcer. The McMahons have denied the claims, calling them baseless and defamatory.

Mehmet Oz’s Role in Healthcare

Trump also selected Dr. Mehmet Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and former television host, to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The agency oversees healthcare for over 150 million Americans, managing programs that cost the government more than $1.4 trillion annually. Trump described Oz as uniquely qualified to reform CMS, pledging he would “cut waste and fraud” and increase competition and transparency in healthcare.