McMahon, a major donor and fundraiser for President-elect Donald Trump’s campaigns, is currently a co-chair of his transition team.President-elect Donald Trump announced on Nov. 19 that he is nominating billionaire Linda McMahon to be his Education Secretary.
“Linda will use her decades of leadership experience and deep understanding of both education and business to empower the next generation of American students and workers and make America Number One in education in the world,” Trump said in a statement.
If confirmed by the Senate, McMahon, 76, would be the fourth female to head the Department of Education.
Served in First Trump Administration
McMahon was the administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) from February 2017 to April 2019 after her nomination by Trump was confirmed by the Senate in a vote of 81–19. The SBA, which has more than 2,800 employees, helps small businesses by providing financing, including loans.
During her tenure, McMahon led the SBA in providing assistance to small businesses after Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Co-Founded WWE
McMahon and her husband, Vince McMahon, founded World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 1980. Originally called Titan Sports Inc., it is the largest wrestling league in the world. She served as the organization’s CEO.
Before they started WWE, the McMahons faced hardship.
Ran for Senate
McMahon ran for the Senate in 2010 and 2012, both times without success.
In 2010, she was defeated by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), 55.19 percent to 43.24 percent.
Two years later, she lost to Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), 54.82 percent to 43.07 percent.
Prior to running for the Senate, she was at WWE until 2009. That same year, she was appointed to the Connecticut Board of Education.
Chair of Trump Policy Think Tank
McMahon was chair of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), which advocates for Trump’s agenda.
Co-Chair of Trump’s Transition
In August, a few months before the election, Trump announced McMahon, a major donor and fundraiser for Trump’s campaigns, and Wall Street investor Howard Lutnick as co-chairs of his transition team.
The campaign issued a statement at the time: “The 2024 GOP platform to Make America Great Again is a forward-looking agenda that will deliver safety, prosperity, and freedom for the American people.”
The team continued its work following Trump’s Nov. 5 election win, and Lutnick would go on to be Trump’s nominee for Commerce Secretary.
