Who Is Linda McMahon? All You Need To Know About Donald Trump’s Pick For U.S. Education Secretary

Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon has been officially confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Education Secretary in President Donald Trump’s administration.
who is linda mcmahon

The U.S. Senate has confirmed former WWE executive, Linda McMahon, as the country’s Education Secretary, placing her in charge of a department that President Donald Trump has criticised and pledged to dismantle. McMahon’s nomination was approved in a 51-45 vote, aligning with the administration’s broader education reforms, which include scaling back diversity initiatives, reducing funding, and advocating for school choice.

As McMahon steps into this influential role, we take a closer look at her background, professional experience, and qualifications in the education sector.

Who Is Linda McMahon?

Linda McMahon, 76, a billionaire and former WWE CEO, has been named the U.S. Education Secretary. Although she spent a year on Connecticut’s State Board of Education and has been a longtime trustee at Sacred Heart University, she lacks significant experience in traditional education leadership.

Linda McMahon holds a bachelor’s degree in French from East Carolina University and is also certified to teach the language. She transitioned into politics after leaving her executive role at WWE, making two unsuccessful bids for a U.S. Senate seat, losing to Richard Blumenthal in 2010 and Chris Murphy in 2012.

Since 2021, McMahon has served as chair of the Center for the American Worker at the Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute. In 2017, she was appointed head of the Small Business Administration under Donald Trump’s administration. A strong Trump supporter, McMahon has donated millions of dollars to his campaigns and played a key role in his first-term administration.

Interestingly, as per Hindustan Times, as a key figure in America First Action, Linda McMahon played a crucial role in raising USD 83 million to support Donald Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign.

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During her confirmation hearing, McMahon focused on enhancing efficiency rather than dismantling the Education Department, acknowledging that only Congress has the authority to close it. She pledged to preserve Title I funding for low-income schools, Pell grants for disadvantaged college students, and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness programme. However, she proposed shifting certain responsibilities such as enforcing disability rights laws to the Department of Health and Human Services.

However, Senator Bernie Sanders strongly opposed these views, emphasising that the Education Department plays a crucial role in supporting 26 million children in high-poverty school districts. He stressed that the federal government has a responsibility to provide quality education for all children, regardless of economic background.

Additionally, the Senate questioned McMahon about a WWE sexual assault scandal during her tenure, in which teenage boys alleged that she was aware of their abuse but failed to take action. Her legal team dismissed the claims as ‘baseless.’

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Linda McMahon’s Net Worth

According to Business Outstanders, Linda McMahon’s net worth in 2024 was estimated at approximately USD 3.2 billion. Her wealth primarily stems from her executive roles at WWE and her tenure in the federal government. Additionally, she has maintained her financial success through strategic investments and her involvement in philanthropic circles.

Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.

Credits: Linda McMahon Twitter

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