Linda McMahon is going to have a CV full of very eclectic professional experiences. On Tuesday, Donald Trump appointed this former boss of the WWE wrestling federation as Minister of Education.
The choice of the president-elect was expected. He has in fact promised to undermine this federal institution, against a backdrop of strong divisions in the United States between progressives and conservatives. And since his victory on November 5, the former president, who will become one again on January 20, has multiplied the sometimes surprising appointments, drawing from among the most loyal within his close guard.
A divisive subject between Democrats and Republicans
“As Minister of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly” to bring more educational freedom to every American state and “empower parents to make the best education decisions for their families,” Donald Trump said in a statement. “We will BRING EDUCATION BACK TO THE STATES and Linda will spearhead this effort,” he promised.
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 between 2017 and 2019 minister responsible for small businesses 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.
A major donor to Trump
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 became president in 1993 and general manager in 1997, before resigning in 2009 to try her luck in politics . 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.
