Linda McMahon’s background — in education and as the founder of the sports entertainment company World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. — has come under scrutiny since President-elect Donald Trump named her as his choice to lead the Department of Education on Tuesday.
McMahon is a longtime Trump ally who served as transition chairman and former head of the US Small Business Administration.
Although he is best known for founding and leading the WWE, he has had several stints in education – starting with his nomination for the Connecticut State Board of Education in 2009.
At his confirmation hearing in 2009, he said that education was his passion and that his work as CEO of WWE taught him “the skills that Connecticut students need through education to be successful.”
Donald Trump speaks at a press conference with Linda McMahon, head of the Small Business Administration, March 29, 2019 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images
He said WWE’s youth-oriented programs — such as the GET REAL Program, which brings WWE stars into schools to teach students the message of “Respect, Education, Achievement and Leadership” — are examples of past education.
However, McMahon had written on her board application that she had an education degree, although the degree from East Carolina University was in French, according to local reports from the period. Her spokesperson at the time called it an “honest mistake” in the Connecticut Post.
After all, McMahon resigned from his position on the Connecticut State Board of Education — and his position as WWE CEO — shortly after, in 2010, to run for the U.S. Senate as a Republican.
On his 2010 campaign website, he signaled his support for “competition and choice through charter schools” and “high school reform” — positions that are reflected in his current views.
“I believe in local control. I advocate for choice over charter schools,” her campaign website said at the time.
He lost that race, as well as his second attempt in 2012.
Other forays into education include her role as a member of the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University. He was a member of the council from January 2004 to February 2017. He returned after serving in Trumps first administration, in 2021.
McMahon also founded the conservative research group America First Policy Institute in April 2021, which said its mission is to “provide sound research and thoughtfully crafted policy recommendations to advance the America First agenda,” according to a press release.
During that time, McMahon pledged to expand Pell Grant access for short-term job training programs.
“This country is facing a historic labor shortage, and multi-year degree programs are not necessary for many Americans to get into high-paying careers,” McMahon said.
In announcing him as his choice for education secretary, Trump said McMahon “will fight tirelessly to expand ‘Choice’ to every State in America.”
The nomination was criticized by the National Education Association, which said that “the only mission is to eliminate the Department of Education and take taxpayer dollars from public schools, where 90% of students – and 95% of students with disabilities – learn. , and give it to private schools. which is irresponsible and discriminatory.”
According to the Agenda47 policy platform, Trump’s top education priorities include eliminating the Department of Education. They also include expanding the school voucher program and giving parents more power in the classroom.
Linda McMahon speaks on the final day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18, 2024.
Andrew Caballero-reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
School “choice” has been a major proponent of conservative education policy in recent years, with the goal of expanding “education savings” policies so that families can direct public school funding toward private schools or homeschooling.
Arizona passed the program first in the nation in 2011, and at least eight other states have followed its lead: Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah and West Virginia.
However, voters in three states — Nebraska, Kentucky and Colorado — rejected efforts to codify or expand this type of program.
As head of the Department of Education, McMahon will oversee federal policies that affect millions of students in the US
For example, the investigative department handles allegations of sexual misconduct under Title IX.
At the same time, McMahon’s nomination comes as she and her husband Vince, the co-founder of WWE, face allegations that they created a culture of tolerating and encouraging alleged sexual abuse of underage “boys.”
“Linda McMahon was in the thick of it, acting as Vince’s wife, confidante, co-leader in running the business, and leader in trying to hide the sordid underbelly of WWE’s sexual abuse culture,” according to the current lawsuit.
ABC News reached out to Trump and McMahon’s team for comment.
“This civil lawsuit is based on thirty-year-old allegations filled with lies, exaggerations, and scurrilous misrepresentations,” McMahon’s attorney said in a statement to ABC News. “The matter was investigated by the company’s attorneys and the FBI, who found no reason to continue the investigation.”
“Ms. McMahon will vigorously defend against this lawsuit and will no doubt ultimately succeed,” the statement continued.
On Wednesday, McMahon accepted the nomination of the president-elect and said that he “looks forward” to Senate confirmation, which is a requirement of the role, in a post on X.
McMahon wrote, “I look forward to working collaboratively with students – educators – parents and the community to strengthen our education system; ensuring that every child regardless of demographics is prepared for a bright future.”
He added: “Thank you for this amazing opportunity. I am ready to Serve!”
T. Michelle Murphy contributed to this report.
