(Washington) Donald Trump on Tuesday named the former boss of the wrestling federation World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Linda McMahon, secretary of the Department of Education, a federal institution that the president-elect promised to undermine, on background of strong divisions in the United States between progressives and conservatives.
Updated yesterday at 10:14 p.m.
Since his victory on November 5, the former president who will become president again on January 20 has multiplied the sometimes surprising appointments, drawing from among the most loyal within his close guard.
“As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly” to bring more educational freedom to every U.S. state and “empower parents to make the best education decisions for their families,” Donald Trump said in a statement.
“We will return education to the states and Linda will spearhead this effort,” promised Donald Trump.
The subject of education particularly divides American states between those led by Democrats and those held by the most conservatives, the latter fiercely opposing issues related to the rights of women, minorities or even LGBT+ communities.
A 76-year-old businesswoman, Linda McMahon was responsible for small businesses between 2017 and 2019 during the Republican’s first term.
She is part of his bodyguard, being one of the co-leaders, with billionaire Howard Lutnick, of the power transition team. He was named Commerce Secretary on Monday.
Not hesitating to speak of Donald Trump as “a friend”, Linda McMahon is a major donor to the Republican Party, providing financial support to Donald Trump’s candidacy since 2016, first for his primary and then in the race at the White House.
She is married to Vince McMahon, the heir to WWE, a wrestling empire founded in the 1950s. Linda McMahon would become president in 1993 and general manager in 1997, before resigning in 2009 to try her luck in policy.
Her husband remained at the head of the company until last January, finally being forced to resign after a former employee filed a complaint against him for sexual assault.
Interview:
Theme 1: The appointment of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education
Guest 1: Dr. Jane Smith, a progressive education advocate and professor at a prestigious university.
Guest 2: Mr. John Doe, a conservative commentator and education consultant.
Interviewer: President Trump’s recent appointment of Linda McMahon as the Secretary of Education has caused quite a stir in the education community. Dr. Jane Smith, as a progressive education advocate, how do you view this appointment?
Dr. Jane Smith: I am concerned about this appointment because it seems contrary to the president-elect’s promise to “drain the swamp.” Ms. McMahon, as the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), does not have a background in education or policy-making. Her appointment signals a continued effort by the Trump administration to fill key positions with individuals who lack experience and a commitment to evidence-based decision-making. Moreover, her previous business background does not align well with the need for a Secretary of Education who understands the complexities of public education, particularly the importance of funding and resources for underserved communities.
Interviewer: Mr. John Doe, you have a different perspective on this appointment. Could you elaborate on why you believe Ms. McMahon is a suitable choice for the position?
Mr. John Doe: I believe Ms. McMahon’s experience as a successful businesswoman and her commitment to the Republican Party make her a strong choice for this role. She understands the importance of education in preparing students for the workforce and is dedicated to empowering parents to make the best educational decisions for their children. Her support for local control over education aligns with conservative values and could lead to more innovative solutions at the state level. Additionally, her experience running a large organization suggests that she possesses the necessary management skills to handle the large federal bureaucracy of the Department of Education.
Interviewer: How do you both think Ms. McMahon’s lack of experience in education will impact her ability to lead the Department of Education?
Dr. Jane Smith: I am convinced that Ms. McMahon’s lack of experience in education will be detrimental to the department
