US President-elect Donald Trump has named former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as his pick to head the Department of Education, which he said he wanted to abolish

President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Linda McMahon, a former administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) during his first term and a co-chair of his transition team, to lead the U.S. Department of Education.

McMahon is best known as a professional wrestling executive and co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) alongside her husband, Vince McMahon. She also ran two unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. During Trump’s first term, McMahon led the SBA for two years, maintaining a low profile and avoiding much of the controversy that characterized the administration. She stepped down in 2019 to lead the Trump-aligned super PAC America First Action and has remained a key figure in Trump’s political circle.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump praised McMahon’s dedication, stating that as education secretary, she "will fight tirelessly to expand 'Choice' to every State in America and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families."

While McMahon’s previous cabinet experience bolsters her qualifications, her direct involvement with public education has been limited. She briefly served on the Connecticut State Board of Education from 2009 to 2010 but resigned to pursue a Senate campaign, citing a legal opinion that barred board members from soliciting campaign donations.

McMahon currently serves as chair of the America First Policy Institute, a think tank staffed by veterans of Trump’s first administration that has been described as a shadow cabinet for a potential second term.

At the Republican National Convention earlier this year, McMahon delivered an emotional speech about her relationship with Trump, calling him "a fighter" and a "good man" with "the heart of a lion and the soul of a warrior." She added, "If necessary, he would stand at the gates of hell to defend our country."

However, McMahon has not been shy about expressing criticism of Trump in the past. During his 2016 campaign, she called his controversial comments about women “deplorable” and “objectionable,” telling Yahoo News, "I wish that no candidate would make those comments." Still, she acknowledged his combative style, noting, "I realize he punches hard when he punches back."

McMahon’s extensive experience in the business and entertainment world, particularly her role in growing WWE into a global phenomenon, has made her a prominent figure in Republican circles and a trusted ally of Trump. Her nomination reflects Trump’s continued focus on aligning his cabinet with loyalists from his inner circle.