Donald Trump taps Linda McMahon to lead education department

United States President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Linda McMahon on Tuesday to lead the Department of Education, a position he is committed to abolish.

In a statement, Trump, 78, praised McMahon, 76, as a "fierce advocate for Parents' Rights," asserting that under her leadership, he "will send Education BACK TO THE STATES".

The former WWE executive, who currently co-chairs Trump's transition team, is responsible for filling approximately 4,000 government positions before his inauguration in January.

While her direct educational experience includes a two-year tenure on the Connecticut Board of Education and 16 years on the board of trustees at Sacred Heart University, her political aspirations have included an unsuccessful Senate run in 2009.

Additionally, she has been a significant supporter of Trump, currently chairing the Center For The American Worker at the America First Policy Institute, which aligns with the Republican politician's agenda, since 2021.

During the election campaign Trump promised to do away with the federal education department when he returns to the White House.

"I say it all the time. I'm dying to get back to do this. We will ultimately eliminate the federal Department of Education," he said in September during a rally in Wisconsin.

At the Republican convention in Milwaukee, McMahon said she was "privileged to call Donald Trump a colleague and a boss," as well as "a friend."

Her ties with Trump go back to her years in the professional wrestling industr — she said she first met him as chief executive at WWE.

At the culmination of a staged feud, Trump once body-slammed her husband, legendary wrestling promoter Vince McMahon, and shaved his head in the middle of a wrestling ring on live television.

In 2017, she was confirmed as the head of the Small Business Administration, which is responsible for supporting America's millions of small businesses, which employ around half the country's private-sector workforce.

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

After leaving the administration, she served as chair of the pro-Trump America First Action SuperPAC, or political action committee.