WASHINGTON (AP) — Linda McMahon has been a constant presence in Donald Trump’s tumultuous atmosphere. She served in his first administration and supported his presidential campaigns. Now he has chosen her as Minister of Education.
Here’s a look at McMahon’s background, from business to politics.
McMahon went from wrestling to politics
McMahon is married to Vince McMahon, whose father was a prominent professional wrestling promoter. They followed him into the business and founded their own company now known as World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE. It became a juggernaut in the industry and American culture.
When Trump was the star of the reality show “The Apprentice,” he appeared at Wrestlemania in 2007. The billionaire entertainment mogul engaged in an elaborately scripted feud that ended with Trump shaving off Vince McMahon’s hair in the middle of the ring.
Linda McMahon resigned from her position as CEO of WWE to enter politics. She twice ran for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut, but lost to Richard Blumenthal in 2010 and to Chris Murphy in 2012.
She shifted gears and focused on providing financial support to candidates. McMahon provided $6 million to support Trump’s candidacy after winning the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.
Teaching was a primary career goal
McMahon served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year beginning in 2009. She told lawmakers at the time that she had a lifelong interest in education and once planned to become a teacher, a goal that fell by the wayside after her marriage.
She also spent years on the board of directors of Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.
McMahon is considered a relative unknown in education circles, although she has expressed support for charter schools and school choice.
McMahon is considered a relative unknown in education circles, although she has expressed support for charter schools and school choice.
McMahon was part of Trump’s first presidency
A month after defeating Hillary Clinton, Trump chose McMahon to lead the Small Business Administration. The agency provides loans and emergency aid to companies and entrepreneurs, and monitors government officials’ compliance with contract law.
When McMahon was elected, she was praised by Blumenthal and Murphy, the two Connecticut Democrats who defeated her in Senate campaigns. Blumenthal called her “an individual of serious achievements and ability,” while Murphy said she was a “talented and experienced businessperson.”
Unlike other members of Trump’s first administration, McMahon was not overshadowed by scandal or controversy. She regularly promoted his trade and tax policies.
“She has been a superstar,” Trump said when she left the government in 2019. “The fact is that I have known her for a long time. I knew she was good, but I didn’t know she was that good. “
She continued to support Trump after leaving the government
McMahon did not leave Trump’s orbit. She chaired America First Action, a super PAC that supported Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. He lost to Democrat Joe Biden, and McMahon helped found the America First Policy Institute to continue advocating for Trump’s agenda and preparing for a possible return to the White House.
When Trump ran for president this year, McMahon was the co-chair of his transition team along with Howard Lutnick, the CEO of financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald. As part of that role, McMahon has helped plan Trump’s new administration.
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