In a move emblematic of Donald Trump’s “new normal” for cabinet appointments, the former wrestling promoter Linda McMahon (76) has been tapped to lead the Department of Education in his second administration.
This surprising choice has drawn attention—not least because of McMahon’s colorful past, including a staged brawl between Trump and her estranged husband, Vince McMahon, during a 2007 wrestling event.
From Wrestling Ring to Bureaucratic Powerhouse
McMahon, co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), would oversee a massive bureaucracy with a $241 billion budget and 13,000 employees responsible for upholding academic standards across the country. Her unconventional background as a former wrestling executive and performer has raised eyebrows, but Trump has hailed her as a “fighter” for improving education in America.
McMahon is no stranger to public service. During Trump’s first term, she led the Small Business Administration (SBA), supporting small and medium enterprises. She also contributed $20 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign, cementing her place in his political inner circle.
The “Battle of the Billionaires” Connection
The announcement of McMahon’s nomination quickly resurrected viral video clips of a 2007 WWE spectacle, dubbed the “Battle of the Billionaires,” where Trump faced off against Vince McMahon in a wrestling ring. The event saw Trump slapping Vince, throwing him to the ground, and delivering fake punches, culminating in Vince’s head being shaved before an audience of 85,000 roaring fans.
The spectacle, complete with Trump’s beauty pageant winners cheering from the sidelines, has resurfaced as a peculiar backdrop to McMahon’s new role. Critics have questioned her qualifications to oversee America’s education system, but Trump appears undeterred.
A Department in Flux
Trump’s critics argue that McMahon lacks the expertise needed to helm the Department of Education. However, this may align with Trump’s broader vision: he has previously expressed a desire to dismantle the Department of Education altogether, potentially making McMahon’s role transitional.
While some see her as an unconventional choice, others view her appointment as a continuation of Trump’s outsider approach to governance. For now, the former wrestling executive is poised to step into one of the most important roles shaping the future of America’s youth.
