Biographical Information: McMahon grew up in New Bern, North Carolina. She attended East Carolina University and studied to become a French teacher, but never taught. Instead, she co-founded and led World Wrestling Entertainment with her husband. In 2009, she was appointed to the Connecticut board of education. She resigned a year later to begin her first of two unsuccessful campaigns to represent Connecticut in the U.S. Senate. McMahon previously led the Small Business Administration during President Donald Trump鈥檚 first term, serving from 2017 to 2019. She stepped down from the SBA to lead the America First Action PAC in support of President Donald Trump鈥檚 2020 reelection campaign. She serves on the board of Sacred Heart University, a Catholic university in Connecticut.
Serving Under: President Donald J. Trump
Dates of Tenure: 2025-Present
Fun Fact: McMahon so that she could graduate at the same time as her husband.
Archives of Note:
Wrestling Executive on Conn. Board
The chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. has garnered a spot on the Connecticut board of education. Linda McMahon was nominated by Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell to a seat on the 11-member board and approved last month by state lawmakers. (March 2, 2009)
Trump鈥檚 Education Secretary Pick Is Linda McMahon, Former WWE CEO
McMahon led the Small Business Administration in Trump鈥檚 first term and is co-chair of the president-elect鈥檚 transition team. (Nov. 19, 2024)
5 Things to Know About Linda McMahon, Trump鈥檚 Pick for Education Secretary
President-elect Donald Trump鈥檚 selection, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, has long spoken favorably about school choice. (Nov. 20, 2024)
The K-12 World Reacts to Linda McMahon, Trump鈥檚 Choice for Education Secretary
Some question her lack of experience in education, while supporters say her business background is a major asset. (Nov. 20, 2024)
What鈥檚 in the Lawsuit That Alleges Linda McMahon Failed to Protect Children
The lawsuit filed by former World Wrestling Entertainment 鈥渞ing boys鈥� alleges that the organization鈥檚 leaders, including McMahon, were aware of and didn鈥檛 stop a longtime ringside announcer from sexually abusing young boys. (Dec. 2, 2024)
Here鈥檚 How Much Linda McMahon鈥檚 Foundation Has Donated to Education Causes
The president-elect鈥檚 pick for education secretary has long given to education causes through her family foundation. (Dec. 5, 2024)
5 Key Takeaways From Linda McMahon鈥檚 Confirmation Hearing
President Trump鈥檚 education secretary nominee pledged to maintain school funding even as she works to end the U.S. Department of Education. (Feb. 13, 2025)
Linda McMahon Is Confirmed by Senate as Education Secretary
The former wrestling mogul will become the nation鈥檚 13th secretary of education, and she has pledged to be its last. (March 3, 2025)
Trump Order Tells Linda McMahon to 鈥楩acilitate鈥� Education Department鈥檚 Closure
An executive order the president signed directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to prepare the 45-year-old agency for shutdown. (March 20, 2025)
Defending Ed. Dept. Cuts, Linda McMahon Says It鈥檚 Time to 鈥楧o Something Different鈥�
Linda McMahon told ed-tech entrepreneurs she wants to cut bureaucracy but keep key federal funds flowing to schools. (April 8, 2025)
Linda McMahon Says 鈥榃e Have to Teach How to Disagree鈥� After Charlie Kirk Killing
The education secretary鈥檚 conciliatory tone contrasted with others in the Trump administration amid the furor over the activist鈥檚 murder. (Sept. 18, 2025)
