Linda McMahon: From Wrestling Executive to Education Secretary? A Look at Her Qualifications and Controversies

Linda Marie McMahon, a prominent American figure known for her achievements in business, politics, and professional wrestling, has been nominated as the 13th United States Secretary of Education. The Senate confirmed Linda McMahon as the 13th secretary of the Department of Education on March. This nomination has sparked considerable debate, given her background and the Trump administration's stated goal of reshaping the Department of Education (ED).

A Diverse Career Path

Born Linda Marie Edwards on October 4, 1948, McMahon's career has spanned various sectors. She graduated from East Carolina University with a bachelor's degree in French. In the 1970s, Linda McMahon and her husband invested in a construction company. That venture ended in bankruptcy, according to a 2017 interview McMahon gave to CNBC. Together with her husband, Vince McMahon, she transformed a regional wrestling promotion into the global entertainment giant World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). During this time, the company grew from a regional business in the northeast to a large multinational corporation. She served as WWE's president and CEO, playing a key role in the company's growth and success. Among other things, she initiated the company's civic programs, Get R.E.A.L. and SmackDown! Your Vote. She made occasional on-screen performances, most notably in a feud with her husband that culminated at WrestleMania X-Seven.

In 2009, McMahon stepped down from WWE to pursue a career in politics. She ran for a seat in the United States Senate from Connecticut as a Republican in 2010 and 2012 but was unsuccessful. Following her election defeats, McMahon committed herself to becoming a major Republican fundraiser and donor.

Before entering the political arena, McMahon served on the Connecticut Board of Education for one year, beginning in 2009. She went through a confirmation process in the Connecticut State Assembly where she was questioned on her record as CEO of WWE. The State Senate approved her nomination by a vote of 34-1 and the House by 96-45 with some opponents expressing concerns that the nature of her WWE activities would send the wrong message. On April 1, 2010, McMahon resigned from the State Board of Education in response to a state election commission's legal opinion that disallowed board members from soliciting campaign contributions.

In 2017, President Donald Trump appointed McMahon as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Senate on February 14, 2017, by a vote of 81-19 and sworn in as the 25th administrator of the SBA. She served in this role until 2019 when she resigned to chair American First Action, a pro-Trump super political action committee. On March 29, 2019, the Trump administration announced McMahon would step down as the administrator of the SBA in April to work on his upcoming re-election campaign. In this role, she focused on supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, expanding educational programs for women, and promoting the agency's resources.

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The Education Secretary Nomination

In October 2024, McMahon was named as a defendant in a lawsuit accusing her, her husband, and the WWE of negligence regarding the ring boy scandal, in which multiple WWE personnel, including ring announcer Mel Phillips and executives Pat Patterson and Terry Garvin, either resigned or were dismissed in 1992 after being accused of sexually assaulting young boys. The lawsuit alleged that the McMahons fostered a culture of sexual abuse within the WWE. The lawsuit was paused by a federal judge in December 2024, pending the outcome of a legal challenge to a state law that could impact the case. The lawsuit was allowed to proceed in February 2025; in April 2025, McMahon filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

In 2024, President Trump nominated McMahon to serve as the Secretary of Education. This nomination has sparked debate due to her limited experience in the field of education. As with Betsy DeVos, Trump’s first education secretary who resigned over disagreements with him over the Jan. 6 insurrection, McMahon has significantly less experience in the field than a typical education secretary. Miguel Cardona, President Joe Biden’s pick for the job, worked as a teacher and school administrator for more than two decades before becoming the commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Education in 2019. President Barack Obama’s education secretary, Arne Duncan, previously oversaw public schools in Chicago.

McMahon's Stance on Key Issues

During her confirmation hearing, McMahon addressed several key issues related to education policy. She expressed support for Trump's idea to dissolve the ED, acknowledging that only Congress could completely dissolve the department. She supported the idea of cutting department branches not enshrined in statute without congressional approval, allowing states and school districts to manage education programs independently. “It is not the president’s goal to defund the programs,” she said, “It is only to have them operate more efficiently.”

McMahon has also advocated for expanding Pell Grant eligibility to include short-term workforce training programs. She authored statements and op-eds while at AFPI about the importance of investing in short-term workforce training programs and endorsing the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act, which would extend Pell Grant eligibility to students in workforce training programs. “Allowing students and workers to use Pell Grants for short-term workforce training programs in high-demand fields is good for American workers and the American economy,” she said in a December 2023 statement. She pointed to programs such as software development bootcamps, which are currently ineligible under Pell rules. “… This legislation will ensure that the benefits of education and training are accessible to all skilled workers, no matter their chosen career.” During her confirmation hearing, McMahon said she did not want to see the Pell Grant program shrink under her leadership.

Controversies and Criticisms

McMahon's nomination has faced scrutiny due to several controversies. In 2009, she incorrectly indicated on a questionnaire for the Connecticut Board of Education that she held a bachelor's degree in education. USA TODAY obtained a copy of a questionnaire Linda McMahon filled out to serve on a state education board. She incorrectly indicated she had a bachelor’s degree in education. McMahon, a billionaire and wrestling executive who graduated from East Carolina University in 1969, actually has a bachelor’s degree in French, the school confirmed to USA TODAY Wednesday. This discrepancy has raised questions about her qualifications and transparency.

Her connections to WWE have also been a source of criticism, with some raising concerns about the company's violent and crass programming. Though she was ultimately confirmed for the post, she resigned after about a year following a decision to impose new restrictions on the political activities of education board members, the Courant reported. The billionaire’s WWE ties could once again cause her problems amid looming potential Senate confirmation hearings.

Supporters and Their Arguments

Despite the controversies, McMahon has garnered support from some circles. Supporters point to her business acumen, leadership skills, and experience in the Small Business Administration as valuable assets for the role of Education Secretary. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican who will lead the Senate’s main committee overseeing schools in the next Congress, said in a statement Wednesday that he looks forward to meeting with McMahon about the job. “I agree with President Trump's statement that we need someone who is going to focus on parental choice in children’s education,” he said. “Linda McMahon’s experience running the Small Business Administration can obviously help in running another agency.”

They argue that her outsider perspective could bring fresh ideas and approaches to the challenges facing the education system. Spellings says some downsizing could have its benefits. Spellings now serves as president and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center, a nonprofit think thank. In the spirit of her current role, she has hope that McMahon will work with Congress in a bipartisan way, especially around improving student achievement. "If you're concerned about a 'woke agenda,' what you really should be concerned about is do [kids] have the basic skills necessary to be successful? Can they read? Can they do math? Can they think critically? And so that's a unifier [across party lines]."

Potential Impact and Future Directions

McMahon's tenure as Education Secretary could have significant implications for the future of education policy in the United States. Given her support for school choice, workforce training programs, and a reduced role for the federal government in education, her leadership could lead to substantial changes in the landscape of American education.

Focus on Workforce Development

McMahon's advocacy for expanding Pell Grant eligibility to short-term workforce training programs suggests a focus on aligning education with the needs of the labor market. This could lead to increased investment in vocational training and apprenticeship programs, providing students with alternative pathways to career success.

Emphasis on Local Control

Her support for devolving control of education programs to states and school districts aligns with a broader movement towards local control in education. This could empower communities to tailor education to their specific needs and priorities, but it also raises concerns about equity and access to resources for disadvantaged students.

Potential Reversal of "Woke" Initiatives

Given the Trump administration's focus on reversing "woke" initiatives, McMahon's leadership could lead to changes in curriculum and educational practices. This could involve a greater emphasis on traditional subjects and a reduction in the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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