In yet another controversial pick for his second-term cabinet, President-elect Donald Trump has named Linda McMahon, co-founder of a pro wrestling league and former head of the federal Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, to lead the Education Department — an agency he’s promised to close.
Like Trump’s other picks, McMahon — who helped her now-estranged husband Vince McMahon launch World Wrestling Entertainment and unsuccessfully ran twice for Senate in Connecticut — brings little relevant expertise or experience to the department he wants her to lead. She does, however, have experience on the WWE wrestling mat.
And like other Trump cabinet choices, McMahon has had to contend with a sex scandal: in October, she was named as a co-defendant in a suit brought by five WWE “ring boys.” The men allege that, from the 1970s to the 1990s, Melvin Phillips Jr., a WWE announcer, groomed them, then sexually assaulted them as the McMahons turned a blind eye.
In a statement, Trump said Linda McMahon “will fight tirelessly to expand ‘Choice’ to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families.” He called her a “fierce advocate for Parents’ Rights,” a movement that wants tax dollars used for school choice but not for school diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
McMahon’s confirmation, however, could be bad news for Black K-12 students in public schools, affecting everything from school funding to civil rights protections for vulnerable groups, including students who identify as LGBTQ+.
In a letter to members, the National Association of Educators vowed to fight McMahon’s confirmation. Becky Pringle, NEA’s president, compared McMahon’s nomination to former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Trump’s first-term education secretary. A wealthy heiress, DeVos had previously dabbled in education policy in her home state of Michigan.
Like DeVos, McMahon “is grossly unqualified and has no background in public schools,” Pringle wrote. “She has no business making decisions about our students, their education, or safety.”
Veteran teacher and education activist Jesse Hagopian wrote on Instagram that McMahon’s mission “is to privatize schools, outlaw honest education about race, gender, and sexuality, and abolish the department of education.”
Here are four key areas McMahon could significantly alter on future policies and what it will mean for Black K-12 students:
Limited Emphasis on Civil Rights and Equity
Under previous presidential administrations, the Department of Education played a critical role in enforcing civil rights protections in schools. Its Office of Civil Rightsinvestigates bias complaints and ensures that schools do not discriminate based on race, color, sex, or disability.
While the extent to which McMahon will prioritize these efforts is unclear, Trump has shown no love for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Without national enforcement, Black and other students of color are vulnerable to discrimination.
Promotion of School Choice and Charter Schools
McMahon’s firm stance on school choice could lead to increased funding and support for charter schools and taxpayer-funded voucher programs for students to attend private schools. Supporters say the programs provide alternatives for families in underperforming school districts.
However, research has shown they often divert resources from public schools, which disproportionately impact Black students in underfunded or majority-minority districts.
Decentralization of Federal Oversight
During the presidential campaign, Trump promised to empower state and local governments to make their own decisions on things like curriculum and school funding. McMahon will likely help fulfill that promise. However, experts say it would widen education disparities, including Title I federal funding, which supports schools with high proportions of low-income students.
A disproportionate percentage of Black students attend Title I schools, which rely on Ed Department funding for essential services like tutoring, after-school programs, and specialized support staff. Ending federal oversight could jeopardize this funding and diminish opportunities for Black students to succeed.
Vocational and Career Training
McMahon’s business background and tenure with the Small Business Administrationsuggest she will likely emphasize vocational and career readiness programs. She’s strongly advocated for aligning education with workforce needs.
While this could mean increased pathways to vocational and employment opportunities, an overemphasis on vocational education could inadvertently limit Black student’s access to higher education and other diverse career paths.
Overall, while McMahon’s appointment aligns with Trump’s plan to overhaul education policy at the national level, — it could also raise more concerns about educational equity for Black students and uncertainty about whether such challenges will be addressed.
