President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former WWE CEO Linda McMahon as the country’s next education secretary.
McMahon is no stranger to politics and to team Trump. She led the Small Business Administration in Trump’s first administration and was a major donor in Trump’s corner early in his political run. If rumors are correct about her marriage, McMahon will enter another Trump presidency with less baggage than before.
Trump Confident Linda Can Do the Job
In a recent statement released by Trump on Truth Social, Trump stated, “For the past four years, as the Chair of the Board at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), Linda has been a fierce advocate for Parents’ Rights, working hard at both AFPI and America First Works (AFW) to achieve Universal School Choice in 12 States, giving children the opportunity to receive an excellent education, regardless of zip code or income,” Trump said in a statement.
Linda’s appointment to the position won’t be an easy start, considering Trump’s ambitions to conclude the operation of the Department of Education. The AP reported on Tuesday that Trump has not strayed from that objective. His plan includes shutting down the DOE and returning much of its power to the states. There has been no word on how this would happen, but it would require congressional approval.
Linda McMahon, Husband Vince Reportedly Split
In the wake of her recent appointment as education secretary, The Washington Post reports that Linda McMahon and her husband, the embattled former WWE Owner, Vince, are separated. The separation is an official end to a world she left roughly 15 years ago. The Post writes, “The McMahons are currently separated,” according to Linda’s attorney, Laura Brevetti. However, family is family. The McMahons were married in 1966 in New Bern, North Carolina. They have two children, Shane and Stephanie. They also have six grandchildren.
In addition to working through separation, both are still dealing with a sex abuse lawsuit. The Daily Beast reports five former “ring boys” have implicated the McMahons, World Wrestling Entertainment, and its parent company, TKO Group. All three parties have been accused of having knowledge of former WWE announcer Melvin Phillips Jr. grooming and sexually assaulting them and other minors.
The lawsuit states that his “peculiar and unnatural interest” in young boys prompted Vince and Linda to fire Phillips in 1988. However, they quickly reinstated him on the condition he “steer clear from kids,” something he didn’t do. The lawsuit further states he used his position in the company to lure young boys with promises of meeting WWE stars and other perks. He also targeted young boys from broken homes and had them stay in hotels with him on the road. They even traveled with him in his vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Linda McMahon’s greatest challenge will be to finally separate herself from the McMahon empire and start a new chapter in her life. She’s used to this: It’s a storyline. This will play out on the national stage, something else she’s used to. It’s all a matter of wrestling psychology: Define the storyline, who will be part of it, the timeframe, and understanding the payoff. While the legal woes exist, she must balance it all.
In this case, it’s about being seen as a politician, not a CEO’s wife. She’s done this time and time again. The only difference will be it’s real this time. Her words and actions will go beyond fighting for a title belt but for the educational fate of the United States. Trump is an “outside man” who has learned the ropes in Washington, and Linda is a good mix of both worlds. Either way, it’s going to be interesting.
