The nomination of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education has sparked significant discussions, particularly after her recent Senate confirmation hearing. McMahon, known for her co-founding role in World Wrestling Entertainment and her previous position as head of the Small Business Administration, faced probing questions regarding potential changes to education policy.
During the February 13 hearing, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) questioned McMahon about the implications of a proposed executive order by President Trump. This order aims to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in various sectors, including education. Murphy specifically inquired whether this would affect funding for public schools that include African American history in their curriculum.
In response, McMahon stated, “I’m not quite certain,” and expressed her intention to investigate the matter further before providing a definitive answer. When pressed by Murphy about the possibility of schools losing funding, McMahon reiterated, “That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying I’d like to take a look at these programs and fully understand the breadth of the executive order and get back to you on that.”
Concerns about funding also extended to student groups focused on ethnic identity, with McMahon providing similar answers. Murphy described McMahon’s lack of clarity as “chilling,” reflecting broader unease about the potential impact of the executive order.
President Trump has previously enacted multiple executive orders aimed at eliminating DEI initiatives across government, education, and private sectors. The broad nature of these orders has resulted in widespread uncertainty among schools, universities, and businesses about compliance requirements.
The federal government contributes approximately 10% of the funding for U.S. public schools, primarily supporting low-income students and those with disabilities. While most schools include some form of Black history education, twelve states mandate it as part of their curriculum.
Linda McMahon’s appointment has faced criticism due to her limited educational background. Her brief tenure on Connecticut’s state Board of Education ended in resignation after discrepancies regarding her academic credentials were revealed. Furthermore, McMahon and her husband Vince have been notable contributors to Trump’s campaign, donating $15 million for his 2024 bid.
