In a move that sent shockwaves through the education world, President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination of Linda McMahon, billionaire co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), as his pick for Secretary of Education. The decision immediately drew sharp criticism from teachers’ unions and public school advocates, who warn that McMahon is “unqualified” and that her “only mission is to eliminate the Department of Education.”
Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association (NEA), pulled no punches in her response to the news. “By selecting Linda McMahon, Donald Trump is showing that he could not care less about our students’ futures,” Pringle declared in a blistering statement. She accused McMahon of seeking to “take away taxpayer dollars from public schools, where 90% of students – and 95% of students with disabilities – learn, and give them to unaccountable and discriminatory private schools.”
Echoes of Betsy DeVos Spark Fears of Privatization Push
For many educators, the specter of McMahon at the helm of the Education Department conjures painful memories of Betsy DeVos, Trump’s controversial education chief during his first term. DeVos faced intense backlash for her aggressive push to expand school voucher programs and private school choice at the expense of public education.
“During his first term, Donald Trump appointed Betsy DeVos to undermine and ultimately privatize public schools through vouchers. Now, he and Linda McMahon are back at it with their extreme Project 2025 proposal to eliminate the Department of Education, steal resources for our most vulnerable students, increase class sizes, cut job training programs, make higher education more expensive and out of reach for middle class families, take away special education services for disabled students, and put student civil rights protections at risk,”
warned NEA President Becky Pringle
McMahon’s nomination appears to signal that a second Trump administration would double down on that controversial agenda. In a statement praising his pick, Trump vowed that McMahon would “fight tirelessly to expand ‘Choice’ to every State in America” if confirmed as education secretary.
Educators Vow to Defend Public Schools, Reject “DeVos 2.0”
Teachers and their unions are pledging fierce resistance to any attempts to privatize public education or roll back critical support and services for students. “Our students and our nation deserve so much better than Betsy DeVos 2.0,” Pringle said, calling on the Senate to “stand up for our students and reject Donald Trump’s unqualified nominee.”
The NEA president noted that parents and educators already “resoundingly defeated” school voucher initiatives in several states during the midterm elections. She predicted they would “stand together to support students and reject the harmful, outlandish, and insulting policies being pushed by the Trump administration.”
McMahon Draws Criticism for Lack of Education Experience
Beyond the philosophical debate over school choice, many are questioning whether McMahon, best known for building a pro wrestling empire, has the background or qualifications to oversee federal education policy and programs that impact millions of students.
While her supporters tout her business acumen, critics argue that running a public school system with its complex challenges and needs is a far cry from the glitzy world of WWE. They worry that students will pay the price if an inexperienced secretary pursues policies that undermine public education.
High Stakes for Students as McMahon Faces Senate Scrutiny
As McMahon’s nomination now heads to the Senate for consideration, the stakes could not be higher for public school students and their families. Will she assuage critics’ concerns and commit to supporting and strengthening public education? Or will her leadership usher in a new wave of privatization and erosion of the public school system?
Teachers’ unions and advocacy groups have vowed to make their voices heard as McMahon faces tough questions on her record and vision for the Education Department. For now, the fate of her nomination – and potentially the future of American education – hangs in the balance.
Only time will tell if Linda McMahon will survive the confirmation gauntlet to become the next education secretary. But one thing is certain – the battle lines have been drawn, and the fight over the future of public education is about to enter a volatile new chapter.
