Trump taps former pro wrestling executive Linda McMahon to lead US education department

NEWS WIRES

20 November 2024 at 3:36 am·1-min read

US President-elect Donald Trump named Linda McMahon, the former head of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), to lead the department of education. McMahon left WWE in 2009 to run unsuccessfully for a US Senate seat, and has been a major donor to Trump's presidential campaign.

Donald Trump nominated Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, on Tuesday to lead the Department of Education, which he has pledged to abolish.

Describing McMahon as a “fierce advocate for Parents’ Rights,” Trump said in a statement: “We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort.”

McMahon is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team ahead of his return to the White House in January. It is tasked with filling some 4,000 positions in the government.

Regarding McMahon’s experience in education, Trump cited her two-year stint on the Connecticut Board of Education and 16 years on the board of trustees at Sacred Heart University, a private Catholic school.

McMahon left WWE in 2009 to run in vain for US Senate, and has been a major donor to Trump.

In nominating her, Trump pointed to her experience in business, helping to grow the WWE.

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