Linda McMahon, former administrator of the Small Business Administration, speaks at the 2024 Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 18, 2024. McMahon was nominated Tuesday by President-elect Donald Trump to become the next Secretary of Education. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI |
License PhotoNov. 19 (UPI) — President-elect Donald Trump tapped Linda McMahon, who served as administrator of the Small Business Administration during his first term, to become the next secretary of Education and oversee “sending education back to the states.”
“For the past four years, as the Chair of the Board at the America First Policy Institute, Linda has been a fierce advocate for parent’s rights, working hard at both AFPI and America First Works to achieve Universal School Choice in 12 states, giving children the opportunity to receive an excellent education, regardless of zip code or income,” Trump wrote in a statement announcing McMahon’s nomination.
McMahon, 76, joined Trump and SpaceX founder Elon Musk earlier Tuesday in Texas for the launch of Starship. While McMahon has not issued a statement in response to the nomination, she reposted Trump’s announcement on X.
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly vowed to disband the Department of Education — which was formed in 1980 — and turn over education control to the states.
“We will send education back to the states, and Linda will spearhead the effort,” Trump said Tuesday with the promise to make “America number one in education in the world.”
McMahon, who is currently the co-chair of the Trump-Vance Transition Team, is also the former chief executive officer of World Wrestling Entertainment. She and her husband, Vince McMahon, co-founded WWE in 1980.
Trump touted McMahon’s two years with the Connecticut Board of Education as one of 15 members overseeing all public education in the state, including Connecticut’s Technical High School system.
McMahon also served as a member of the board of trustees at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield for more than 16 years, Trump added.
“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.”
